Existing Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) fusion devices are not yet efficient due to current limitations attributed to ion confinement time, low reaction rates, and electron loss rates. These limitations may be overcome by combining particular IEC confinement geometries with the advantages of the closed field line system of a magnetic dipole. Accordingly, this project will develop an optimized dipole-IEC configuration and verify that increased confinement times, reaction rates, and energy efficiencies can be achieved. Phase I will conduct an experimental verification of the dipole-IEC concept to show that increased neutron production rates can result from longer confinement times. In addition, computer simulations will be performed to determine an optimized dipole-IEC configuration, which will be constructed and tested in Phase II.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: In addition to the application for IEC fusion, a more efficient dipole-IEC confinement system could contribute to the development of a commercial fast-neutron source suitable for medical isotope production, weapons detection, and industrial applications
