Particle-in-cell simulation of magnetic-assisted electrostatic confinement device

Abstract

In order to enhance the fusion reaction rate in Inertial Electrostatic Confinement devices, it is necessary to increase the ion density with low cathode current and low background pressure. In order to accomplish the requirement, the authors suggest Magnetic-assisted Electrostatic Confinement (MEC) scheme. The MEC relies on controlling the ion motion by applying an axial magnetic field to a system with cylindrical electrodes. In order to clarify the fundamental performances of the MEC device, Particle-in-Cell simulation was carried out. By reducing the background pressure, the ion confinement was improved resulting in the increase of the ion density. However, the ion density saturated due to space charge limitation. The estimated fusion reaction rate was about 6 10 5 × 1/s/m when the cathode voltage was -100 kV, the magnetic field was 200 mT, and the cathode current was 100 mA/m. The reaction rate, however, is expected to become higher since the ion density limitation is moderated by the electron which is not considered in the present analysis.

Modeling the time variation of beam–grid fusion reaction rates in an Inertial Electrostatic Confinement device driven by a ring-shaped magnetron ion source

“…In a practical discharge we would expect non-zero I wire due to ion charge exchange. A similar concept has been considered by Tomiyasu et al [8] for the case of a glow discharge placed under an external pulsed magnetic field. The advantage of using the RS-MIS is that it allows operation at lower-pressures, and produces a magnetic field which is radially-varying and permanent.…”

Dependence of Potential Well Depth on the Magnetic Field Intensity in a Polywell Reactor

“…Takamatsu et al [3] reported a ten-times increase in number of fusion reactions as well as an increase in overall efficiency, all when ion sources were employed in the setup. The control of the ion motions during the device operation by applying an axial magnetic field was simulated by Tomiyasu et al [4]. Following these studies, Kurilenkov et al [5] investigated the effects of virtual cathode, and single-and double-well potentials on the IECF reactor operation when an electric discharge is applied.…”