Editing Ion thruster (section)

=== Hall-effect thrusters ===
{{Main|Hall-effect thruster}}
[[File:Wfm hall thruster.svg|thumb|upright=1.8|Schematic of a Hall-effect thruster]]

[[Hall-effect thruster]]s accelerate ions by means of an electric potential between a cylindrical anode and a negatively charged plasma that forms the cathode. The bulk of the propellant (typically xenon) is introduced near the anode, where it ionizes and flows toward the cathode; ions accelerate towards and through it, picking up electrons as they leave to neutralize the beam and leave the thruster at high velocity.

The anode is at one end of a cylindrical tube. In the center is a spike that is wound to produce a radial magnetic field between it and the surrounding tube. The ions are largely unaffected by the magnetic field, since they are too massive. However, the electrons produced near the end of the spike to create the cathode are trapped by the magnetic field and held in place by their attraction to the anode. Some of the electrons spiral down towards the anode, circulating around the spike in a [[Hall effect|Hall current]]. When they reach the anode they impact the uncharged propellant and cause it to be ionized, before finally reaching the anode and completing the circuit.<ref name="Oleson">{{cite web|url=http://gltrs.grc.nasa.gov/reports/2001/TM-2001-210676.pdf|title=Advanced Hall Electric Propulsion for Future In-Space Transportation|access-date=2007-11-21|last1=Oleson|first1=S. R.|last2=Sankovic|first2=J. M.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040122155512/http://gltrs.grc.nasa.gov/reports/2001/TM-2001-210676.pdf|archive-date=2004-01-22}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>