Overview of University of Wisconsin Inertial-Electrostatic Confinement Fusion Research

Journal Article · Sun May 15 04:00:00 EDT 2005 · Fusion Science and Technology

OSTI ID:20854079

Santarius, J F; Kulcinski, G L; Ashley, R P; Boris, D R; Cipiti, B B; Murali, S Krupakar; Piefer, G R; Radel, R F; Radel, T E; Wehmeyer, A L ^[1]

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1. University of Wisconsin (United States)

In Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) devices, a voltage difference between concentric, nearly transparent spherical grids accelerates ions to fusion-relevant velocities. The University of Wisconsin (UW) operates two IEC devices: a cylindrical aluminum chamber and a spherical, water-cooled, stainless-steel chamber, with a power supply capable of 75 mA and 200 kV. The research program aims to generate fusion reaction products for various applications, including protons for creating radioisotopes for nuclear medicine and neutrons for detecting clandestine materials. Most IEC devices worldwide, including the UW devices, presently operate primarily in a pressure range (1-10 mtorr) that allows ions to make only a few passes through the core before they charge exchange and lose substantial energy or they collide with cathode grid wires. It is believed that fusion rates can be raised by operating at a pressure where neutral gas does not impede ion flow, and a helicon ion source has been developed to explore operation at pressures of {approx}0.05 mtorr. The UW IEC research group uses proton detectors, neutron detectors, residual gas analyzers, and spectroscopic diagnostics. New diagnostic techniques have also been developed, including eclipse disks to localize proton production and chordwires to estimate ion fluxes using power balance.

• OSTI ID: 20854079
• Journal Information: Fusion Science and Technology, Journal Name: Fusion Science and Technology Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 47; ISSN 1536-1055
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ALUMINIUM
CHARGE EXCHANGE
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
INERTIAL CONFINEMENT
IONS
NEUTRON DETECTORS
NEUTRONS
OPERATION
PROTONS
RADIOISOTOPES
SPHERICAL CONFIGURATION
STAINLESS STEELS
WISCONSIN