Inertial-Electrostatic Confinement Neutron/Proton Source

Miley, George H.; Javedani, J.; Yamämoto, Yasushi; Nebel, Richard; Nadler, J.; Gu, Yibin; Satsangi, A.; Heck, P. R.

doi:10.1063/1.2949222

Cited by 58 publications

(14 citation statements)

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“…The formation of a bright plasma core inside the grid-type cathode and the radiating-like spokes are observed. This discharge pattern is very noteworthy in the SCBF discharge and is called the "Star Mode" [2].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…However, the primitive SCBF did not receive much attention because the trend in fusion research was the tokamak. The SCBF has been attracting attention and the number of papers on SCBF has increased since Miley and colleagues of the University of Illinois confirmed a steady-state D-D neutron production rate over 10 6 s -1 with a simple discharge-type device in 1994 [2]. These papers have reported that a multiwell potential structure is formed by convergence of ions and electrons, that the potential well increases the neutron production rate [1], and that fusion reactions occur not inside but outside the © 2001 Scripta Technica Electrical Engineering in Japan, Vol.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Neutron production rate and plasma characteristics of spherically convergent beam fusion

Yamauchi

Takéuchi

Ogino

et al. 2001

Electrical Engineering Japan

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Experimental and simulation results of a spherical glow discharge for a portable neutron source are presented. The experimental device is a 45-cm-diameter, 31-cm-high stainless-steel cylindrical chamber, in which a spherical mesh-type anode 30 cm in diameter is installed. The spherical grid cathode consists of 2.0-mm-diameter stainlesssteel wire, which is made into an open spherical grid of 5-cm diameter. The system is maintained at a constant pressure of 1 to 15 mTorr by feeding hydrogen or deuterium gas. The basic characteristics of breakdown voltages versus pressure and electrostatic potential profiles were measured for hydrogen discharge. Using deuterium, a steady-state neutron production of 10 4 s -1 was observed at a discharge of 40 kV, 2 mA. Motions of ions and electrons in the device were simulated by using a particle code, which is one-dimensional in coordinate system and two-dimensional in velocity space. It was confirmed by both the measurement and simulation that a virtual anode is formed in the central part inside the grid cathode. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 135(2): 1

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 92%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neutron production rate and plasma characteristics of spherically convergent beam fusion

Yamauchi

Takéuchi

Ogino

et al. 2001

Electrical Engineering Japan

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“…As is clearly visible in the photograph of a typical discharge shown in Fig. 4, for below about 0.5 torr cm, the discharge consists of current-carrying microchannels, which appear as spokes emanating from the holes in the cathode grid [1]. This unique discharge phenomenon, discovered at the University of Illinois, is termed the "Star" discharge mode.…”

Section: B Versus Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…There are alternate types of IEC's, e.g., Hirsch [4] used ion-gun injectors, Barnes et al used a triple-grid design [5], and Bussard has proposed a hybrid magnetic-electrostatic version [6]. Compared to the present single-grid devices, these designs generally operate at lower pressures due to added electron injection, but much of the basic physics carries over [1]. The present paper discusses basic experimental studies of the plasma discharge characteristics in this single-grid IEC, along with computer simulations used to obtain further insight into the microchannel phenomenon.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Discharge characteristics of the spherical inertial electrostatic confinement (IEC) device

Miley

DeMora

et al. 1997

IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.

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The University of Illinois inertial electrostatic confinement (IEC) device provides 10 7 2.5 MeV D-D neutrons/second when operated with a steady-state deuterium discharge at 70 kV [1]. Being compact and lightweight, the IEC potentially represents an attractive portable neutron source for activation analysis applications [2]. The plasma discharge in the IEC is unique, using a spherical grid in a spherical vacuum vessel with the discharge formed between the grid and the vessel wall, while the 070 kV grid (cathode) also serves to extract high-energy ions. Two key features of the IEC discharge are discussed: 1) the breakdown voltage characteristics as a function of pressure-grid/wall distance (pd pd pd), and 2) the formation of ion "microchannels" that carry the main ion flow through grid openings.

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“…Initial work was done by Hirsch [I] and is continuing today with studies by Miley [2] at the University of Illinois (UIUC), Anderl [3] at Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) and Fonck [4] at the University of Wisconsin (vw). Spherical IEC devices with a single cathode grid have produced 10-n/s from the D-D fusion reaction.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study of ion microchannels and IEC grid effects using the SIMION code

DeMora

Stubbers

Anderl³

Proceedings of 16th International Symposium on Fusion Engineering

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The design of the cathode grid for a spherical inertial electrostatic confinement (IEC) fusion device is described based upon the results of SIMION, an electric field and ion trajectory program. Cathode grids of varying ra&i and geometric transparency were simulated with t h~ code. Twohmensional models of energetic ions in the IEC that were produced with SIMION show the formation of ion microchannels and the Star-mode. The SIMION results also show that smaller, less transparent grids produce smaller cores and more focused ion channels.

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Inertial-Electrostatic Confinement Neutron/Proton Source

Cited by 58 publications

References 0 publications

Neutron production rate and plasma characteristics of spherically convergent beam fusion

Neutron production rate and plasma characteristics of spherically convergent beam fusion

Discharge characteristics of the spherical inertial electrostatic confinement (IEC) device

Study of ion microchannels and IEC grid effects using the SIMION code

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