Liquid lithium ion source: Nonlinear behavior of liquid surface in electric field
Calculations have shown that electrohydrodynamic instabilities can produce surface distortions that may locally enhance the electric field to the extent that field evaporation of ions can occur from a liquid metal surface. Linear analysis of the electrohydrodynamic equations of motion has yielded the regions of instability as well as the wavelengths and growth times of the dominant unstable mode as a function of applied electric field. In the calculation presented here, the liquid surface is followed well into the nonlinear regime using a surface integral method. The results agree with the linear theory where appropriate, and add further support to the feasibility of a large-area liquid-lithium ion source for inertial confinement fusion experiments on a light ion-beam driver.
- Research Organization:
- Simulation Theory Division 1231, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 5064981
- Journal Information:
- J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 60:11; ISSN JAPIA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Electrohydrodynamically driven, large-area liquid metal ion source for inertial confinement fusion
Electrohydrodynamically driven, large-area liquid metal ion source for inertial confinement fusion
Related Subjects
700208* -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Inertial Confinement Technology
ACCELERATORS
BEAM PRODUCTION
CHARGED PARTICLES
CONFINEMENT
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRODYNAMICS
ELEMENTS
EMISSION
EVAPORATION
FABRICATION
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FIELD EMISSION
FLUIDS
IMPACT FUSION DRIVERS
INERTIAL CONFINEMENT
ION SOURCES
IONS
LIQUID METALS
LIQUIDS
LITHIUM IONS
METALS
PARTICLE BEAM FUSION ACCELERATOR
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PLASMA CONFINEMENT