Comparison of experimental data and three-dimensional simulations of ion beam neutralization from the Neutralized Transport Experiment

Abstract

has been designed to study the final focus and neutralization of high perveance ion beams ͓E.

US Heavy Ion Beam Research for High Energy Density Physics Applications and Fusion

“…Figure 3.1 shows experimental measurements of a more than 10 X reduction of the focal spot size, which is consistent with particle-incell simulations [41]. Both theory and experiment indicate that the neutralized beam focal spot size depends on the convergence angle, beam energy, axial position, and headto-tail variation of the beam parameters, but not significantly on variations in the beam perveance (proportional to beam current).…”

Controlling Charge and Current Neutralization of an Ion Beam Pulse in a Background Plasma by Application of a Small Solenoidal Magnetic Field

“…A number of possible instabilities during propagation of beam pulses through a background plasma in a solenoidal magnetic field [21,22] can be effectively mitigated by a small velocity tilt and plasma density inhomogeneity [23,24]. …”

Overview of theory and simulations in the Heavy Ion Fusion Science Virtual National Laboratory

“…The modeling shows that the compression achieved to date has been limited by known tilt waveform errors that can be further reduced; an improved pulser is planned. Combined compression and focusing: For both WDM and IFE applications, to be focused the beam must be neutralized as it passes through the target chamber and onto the target; this was studied in the earlier Neutralized Transport Experiment (NTX), and with simulations [9,10]. Experiments exploring the combination of neutralized drift compression and transverse focusing are planned for the near future.…”