A Unified Electromagnetic-Topology Framework and Augmentation Collar for Ion, Hall, Chemical, and Thermal Propulsion Plumes

Abstract

Plume-generating propulsion systems, including ion engines, Hall thrusters, chemical rockets, and nuclear- or microwave-thermal systems, share common stability limitations arising from electromagnetic-topology effects. These include plume divergence, oscillatory modes, space-charge spreading, and sensitivity to environmental boundary conditions. This paper introduces a universal rotating electromagnetic augmentation collar (REMN/GREMN) designed to stabilise, collimate, and enhance plumes across all propulsion types. The REMN architecture generates controlled azimuthal shear layers and a rotating electromagnetic envelope that suppresses instabilities, improves plume alignment, and increases effective exhaust velocity. Performance gains include space-charge relief in ion engines (+8–15% thrust, +5–10% Isp), breathing-mode suppression in Hall thrusters (40–70% reduction, +18–28% thrust, +10–18% Isp), and pre-ionisation-driven improvements in chemical rockets (+8–15% Isp). Nuclear and microwave-thermal systems benefit from burst-mode plume stiffening and Kelvin–Helmholtz suppression. A unified EM-topology framework is presented to explain why all plumes, charged, partially charged, or neutral, respond to downstream electromagnetic shaping. An experimental pathway is outlined for bench-top validation using a plasma jet and rotating EM coil stack. The results position REMN as a propulsion-agnostic augmentation technology with broad applicability to next-generation spacecraft.