Energy gain calculations in Penning fusion systems using a bounce-averaged Fokker-Planck model
Abstract
In spherical Penning fusion devices, a spherical cloud of electrons, confined in a Penning-like trap, creates the ion-confining electrostatic well. Fusion energy gains for these systems have been calculated in optimistic conditions (i.e., spherically uniform electrostatic well, no collisional ion-electron interactions, single ion species) using a bounce-averaged Fokker-Planck (BAFP) model. Results show that steady-state distributions in which the Maxwellian ion population is dominant correspond to lowest ion recirculation powers (and hence highest fusion energy gains). It is also shown that realistic parabolic-like wells result in better energy gains than square wells, particularly at large well depths (>100 kV). Operating regimes with fusion power to ion input power ratios (Q-value) >100 have been identified. The effect of electron losses on the Q-value has been addressed heuristically using a semianalytic model, indicating that large Q-values are still possible provided that electron particle losses are kept small and well depths are large.
- Publication:
-
Physics of Plasmas
- Pub Date:
- November 2000
- DOI:
- 10.1063/1.1310199
- Bibcode:
- 2000PhPl....7.4547C
- Keywords:
-
- 52.25.Dg;
- 52.25.Wz;
- 52.58.Qv;
- 52.65.Ff;
- Plasma kinetic equations;
- Electrostatic and high-frequency confinement;
- Fokker-Planck and Vlasov equation