On April 16, Professor Andrei Smolyakov from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, was invited to visit the Department of Electrical Engineering and Applied Electronics (EEA) at Tsinghua University and gave an academic lecture titled “Plasma Flow and Acceleration in the Magnetic Nozzle Configurations.” More than 30 faculty members and students from Tsinghua University, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beihang University, and other institutions attended the lecture. The session was chaired by Associate Professor Fu Yangyang, Deputy Director of the High Voltage Institute of the department.

Lecture by Professor Andrei Smolyakov

In the lecture, Professor Smolyakov systematically introduced the basic principles of magnetic nozzles used for plasma propulsion and their acceleration mechanisms. He explained fluid, particle, and hybrid models used to simulate magnetic nozzle devices. The fluid model can accurately predict the characteristics of plasma accelerated by magnetic nozzles. Particle model results showed that the distributions of plasma density, ion velocity, and potential exhibit similar robust features. The hybrid model discussed plasma pressure, electron and ion heat fluxes, energy exchange between electrons and ions, and their effects on plasma acceleration.

Furthermore, the lecture presented results from two- and three-dimensional particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, discussing plasma azimuthal rotation, magnetic energy conversion processes, and the resulting plasma acceleration effects.

After the lecture, attendees engaged in extensive discussions with Professor Smolyakov on details of plasma electromagnetic simulation models and the role of magnetic fields in magnetic nozzle thrusters. The discussions led to intentions for cooperation in scientific research, talent training, and academic exchange. Associate Professor Fu Yangyang presented Professor Smolyakov with a commemorative gift.

Professor Andrei Smolyakov delivering the lecture

Interaction and Q&A between attendees and Professor Smolyakov

Commemorative gift presentation

Group photo after the lecture

Speaker Introduction:

Professor Andrei Smolyakov is a professor in the Departments of Physics and Engineering Physics at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada. He received his M.Sc. (1983) and Ph.D. (1986) degrees from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Russia. His research fields include fusion plasma, laboratory plasma, and plasma electric propulsion. Professor Smolyakov is a Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS) and serves as Associate Editor of Physics of Plasmas, the plasma physics journal published by the American Physical Society.