Based on MPD arcjet experiment, it is shown that the discharge current is likely to concentrate at the cathode tip and root and severe erosion results. Previously, an analytical $study^3$ was made on the quasione-dimensional model of the self-field accelerator to find the magnetohydrodynamic effects on the current concentration. We generalize this model to include the finite pressure effects. In this model, the geometries of the anode and cathode are varied and the effects from these changes as well as other MHD effects are studied. Main questions to be studied are
1) Does the discharge current actually concentrate at the entrance and exit of the accelerator?
2) Does the electrode geometry relax the current concentration and can provide a high thrust efficiency?
3) How does the electrode geometry affect the exit wall temperature?
4) What is the most favorable working fluid?
Discharge Chamber 에서의 유체의 흐름을 1차원과 정상류라 가정하고 수치해석적인 Shooting Method 로 플라즈마 추진기의 여러가지 성질을 알아보았다.
전극의 모양을 바꿔줌으로써 여러가지 유익한 효과를 얻을 수 있고 작업유체의 선택에 따라 여러가지 성질들이 변할 뿐 아니라 플라즈마 추진기의 성능에 크게 영향을 미치는 것을 보았다.
