Neutron Source Based on a Counter-Deuterium Beam Linear IEC

Abstract

A high-efficiency inertial electrostatic confinement (IEC) neutron generator consists of linear IEC fusion chamber and ionization chambers at both ends, connected by an externally applied magnetic field. A pair of deuterium beams is produced in the ionization chambers that are positively biased so as to accelerate deuterium ions along the magnetic field towards the reaction chamber. For the purpose of achieving high-efficiency, the counter-streaming beam column is focused to form a thin filament. Such a configuration must avoid beam-driven instabilities such as the two-beam instability and Weibel’s instability. The stability analysis is performed showing that these modes are stabilized by an externally applied magnetic field parallel to the ion beams. The required magnetic field is less than several of 0.1 Tesla. Thus highly efficient neutron generator is potentially possible with counter-streaming ion beams focused and stabilized by an external magnetic field. An example giving specifications for such a neutron generator is presented.