Simulation and optimization of an inertial electrostatic confinement device by adding a second feed-stalk and ion gun

Abstract

Inertial electrostatic confinement (IEC) is a method utilized to confine particles in fusion reactions. In an IEC device, ions are accelerated toward the center by an electric field created through the application of a potential difference between the anode and the cathode. This issue increases in ion density at the center and enhances the probability of collisions, thereby facilitating fusion reactions. Neutron production rate and the confinement time (CT) are the key parameters in an IEC device. Previous studies simulated the effects of various parameters, such as pressure, the number of cathode rings, and the dielectric thickness of the feed-stalk, on CT, comparing the results with experimental data. Results indicated that at low pressures, CT decreased due to asymmetry in the electric field caused by the feed-stalk. This study simulated the effect of an ion gun on CT and proposed adding a second feed-stalk opposite the first to reduce field asymmetry and improve CT at lower pressures. Simulations conducted at a pressure of 1 × 10 − 7 Torr and a voltage of −250 kV resulted in a CT of 14 570 μs, notably higher than previous findings, underscoring the beneficial influence of the second feed-stalk on the CT. © 2025 Author(s).