Numerical simulations of self-pinched transport of intense ion beams in low-pressure gases

Journal Article · Fri Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1999 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.873671· OSTI ID:686546

Rose, D V; Ottinger, P F ^[1]; Welch, D R; Oliver, B V ^[2]; Olson, C L ^[3]

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1. Plasma Physics Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375 (United States)
2. Mission Research Corp., Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106 (United States)
3. Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185 (United States)

The self-pinched transport of intense ion beams in low-pressure background gases is studied using numerical simulations and theoretical analysis. The simulations are carried out in a parameter regime that is similar to proton beam experiments being fielded on the Gamble II pulsed power generator [J. D. Shipman, Jr., IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci. {bold NS-18}, 243 (1971)] at the Naval Research Laboratory. Simulation parameter variations provide information on scaling with background gas species, gas pressure, beam current, beam energy, injection angles, and boundaries. The simulation results compare well with simple analytic scaling arguments for the gas pressure at which the effective net current should peak and with estimates for the required confinement current. The analysis indicates that the self-pinched transport of intense proton beams produced on Gamble II (1.5 MeV, 100 kA, 3 cm radius) is expected to occur at gas pressures between 30 and 80 mTorr of He or between 3 and 10 mTorr of Ar. The significance of these results to ion-driven inertial confinement fusion is discussed. {copyright} {ital 1999 American Institute of Physics.}

• OSTI ID: 686546
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 6; ISSN 1070-664X; ISSN PHPAEN
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
BEAM-PLASMA SYSTEMS
CHARGED-PARTICLE TRANSPORT
ELECTRON BEAMS
INERTIAL CONFINEMENT
ION BEAMS
PINCH EFFECT
PLASMA PRESSURE
PLASMA SIMULATION
PROTON BEAMS