Particle-in-cell simulation of magnetic-assisted electrostatic confinement device

In order to enhance the fusion reaction rate in inertial electrostatic confinement devices, it is necessary to increase the ion density with low cathode current and low background pressure. In order to accomplish the requirement, the authors suggest magnetic-assisted electrostatic confinement (MEC) scheme. The MEC relies on controlling the ion motion by applying an axial magnetic field to a system with cylindrical electrodes. In order to clarify the fundamental performances of the MEC device, particle-in-cell simulation was carried out. By reducing the background pressure, the ion confinement was improved resulting in the increase of the ion density. However, the ion density saturated due to space charge limitation. The estimated fusion reaction rate was about 5 × 106 1/s/m when the cathode voltage was −100 kV, the magnetic field was 200 mT, and the cathode current was 100 mA/m. The reaction rate, however, is expected to become higher since the ion density limitation is moderated by the electron which is not considered in the present analysis.