A Method for Active Space Charge Neutralization in an Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) Nuclear Fusion Device

A Method for Active Space Charge Neutralization in an Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) Nuclear Fusion Device
Author: Brendan Sporer
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Total Pages:
Release: 2017
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Download A Method for Active Space Charge Neutralization in an Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) Nuclear Fusion Device Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

Recent inertial electrostatic confinement (IEC) fusion concepts are discussed and their shortcomings noted. Ion space charge is substantiated as a significant hindrance to high efficiencies, so a method for space charge neutralization in an ion-injected IEC device is proposed. An electrostatically- plugged magnetic trap is used to confine electrons in the core region of a planar electrostatic trap for ions. The electrons act to dynamically neutralize the space charge created by converging ions for the purpose of increasing achievable core density and fusion rates. An electrostatic trap utilizing this method of neutralization is termed the plasma-core planar electrostatic trap, or PCPET. COMSOL Multiphysics 4.3 is used to model the electromagnetic fields of the PCPET and compute lone ion and electron trajectories within them. In the proper configuration, ions are shown to be stably confined in the trap for many hundreds of oscillations, potentially much longer. Electrons are confined virtually infinitely in the central electrostatically-plugged cusp. For both species, upscatter into source electrodes seems to be the dominant loss mechanism. Adjusting the electron energy and behavior in the core to provide the optimum neutralization for ions is discussed. Ion synchronization behavior can be controlled with RF signals applied to the anode. Two operational modes are identified and discriminated by the state of ion synchronization. Further experimentation is needed to determine which mode produces the optimal neutralization and fusion rate. An experimental prototype PCPET is constructed out of 3D-printed PLA and machined aluminum.


A Method for Active Space Charge Neutralization in an Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) Nuclear Fusion Device
Language: en
Pages:
Authors: Brendan Sporer
Categories:
Type: BOOK - Published: 2017 - Publisher:

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Recent inertial electrostatic confinement (IEC) fusion concepts are discussed and their shortcomings noted. Ion space charge is substantiated as a significant h
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Type: BOOK - Published: 2020 - Publisher:

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In order to improve the performance of Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) based fusion devices, so as to improve their effectiveness as low cost, portable
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The spherical inertial electrostatic confinement concept offers an alternative fusion plasma confinement scheme, where charged particles are accelerated and con
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Type: BOOK - Published: 2000 - Publisher:

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