Simulation studies of optimized electrode designs for a cylindrical IEC

Conference · Wed Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:323588

Miley, G H; DeMora, J; Stubbers, R A; Zich, R ^[1]; Sved, J ^[2]; Anderl, R; Hartwell, J ^[3]

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1. Univ. of Illinois, Urbana, IL (United States). Fusion Studies Lab.
2. DASA, Bremmen (Germany)
3. Idaho National Engineering Lab., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)

The cylindrical version (c-device) of the single grid inertial electrostatic confinement (IEC) device is of strong interest for various neutron activation analysis (NAA) applications. The present version produces {approximately} 10{sup 6} D-D fusion neutron/s steady-state, and a higher yield pulsed version is under development. In both designs the grid configuration must be optimized for maximum neutron yield. An ion tracking code, SIMION has been adapted for this purpose. While it includes several key approximations (e.g., neglects self-fields and collisions), it still predicts trends well for the present regime of operation, and provides improved physical insight. Recent simulations have examined variations of the reference electrode design, covering a wide range of diameters and lengths. Thus, for example, with a 10-cm long cathode and 3-cm long anodes the optimum diameter is predicted to be 60--80 mm. As the diameter is reduced further, the ion beam focus is lost. Further, the plasma sheath at the inside cathode wall begins to distort the beam path. These simulations will be described along with results for several novel designs, including a modular cathode and multiple segmented electrode concept will be presented.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-94ID13223
• OSTI ID: 323588
• Report Number(s): CONF-970559--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES
40 CHEMISTRY
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
BEAM OPTICS
DESIGN
ELECTRODES
INERTIAL CONFINEMENT
NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
NEUTRON SOURCES
SIZE