Kinetic Modeling of the IEC Device in Order to Predict the Number of Produced Ions

Abstract

Abstract: An inertial electrostatic confinement (IEC) device is often referred to as a portable neutron source and can be used as a research reactor due to its simple structure and low cost. This device includes two electrodes and a feed-stalk. By using a power source, a voltage difference is applied between two electrodes, by means of a feed-stalk connected to the inner electrode. A lot of experimental and simulation research has been done on this device all over the world. In this work, the IEC device is kinetically modeled using the particle-in-cell (PIC) method. This modeling has been done at a constant voltage of –25 kV and pressure range (to Torr). According to the obtained results, the number of ions increases with decreasing pressure. At Torr, the number of ions is equal to, while at Torr, this value increases to. This increase in ions shows that the mean free distance increases with the decrease in pressure, and the probability of collision between ions and neutrals decreases. © Pleiades Publishing, Ltd. 2025.