Ion distribution function and radial profile of neutron production rate in spherical inertial electrostatic confinement plasmas

Abstract

The radial profile of the neutron production rate in spherical inertial electrostaticconfinement plasmas is investigated. The electrostatic potential is obtained bysolving the Poisson equation, and by using the potential; the fuel ion velocity distributionfunction is determined at each radial point. From the velocity distribution function, theneutron production rate is accurately evaluated. Numerical results show that if it is assumedthat fuel ions are confined keeping the total energy and angular momentum almost constant, thedouble radial peak in the neutron production rate can appear without creation of the deep doublepotential well.