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Published byAugustine Gibbs Modified over 6 years ago
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An overview of new initiatives in IEC at the University of Sydney
Joe Khachan, Matthew Carr, Scott Cornish, David Gummersall, Adam Israel, Colin Tuft
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Current projects include:
Creation of virtual cathode for IEC Electric propulsion for spacecraft using gridded IEC micro-channels Beam-background fusion for neutron sources
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Virtual cathode: The Polywell
Null Red is the largest magnitude. Blue is the smallest
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Virtual cathode: The Polywell
Three dimensional magnetic cusps to trap electron at the center resulting in a deep potential well Graphic form
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Virtual cathode: The Polywell
Our Polywell arrangement. Langmuir probe Electron beam
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Virtual cathode: The Polywell
Current through coils Floating potential from probe at the center
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Virtual cathode: Electron focus
Central spherical grid is now the anode. Chamber is the cathode
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Virtual cathode: Electron focus
Langmuir probe Anode
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Virtual cathode: Electron focus
Discharge is contained mostly within the anode during a high voltage pulse
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Virtual cathode: Electron focus
Virtual cathodes oscillates at the center.
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Virtual cathode: Electron focus
Oscillations are damped and the well is not as deep as that of the center.
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Electric propulsion Micro-Channels consist of collimated energetic neutrals traveling away from the center.
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Electric propulsion Plume Charge Exchange Thruster Hollow cathode
Anode Plume Glass tube Anode Charge Exchange Thruster
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Electric propulsion 0.1 millinewton for 100 Watts of power
Thrust measurement
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Electric propulsion 0.1 mN for H at 100W
1.0 mN for Xe at 100 W (estimated) Comparable to Hall thrusters. Thrust measurement
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Neutron source: Cyclotron
Use cyclotron motion to maximum beam-background fusion.
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Neutron source: Cyclotron
Introduce deuterium into a cyclotron
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Neutron source: Cyclotron
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Neutron source: Cyclotron
Hydrogen Doppler spectrum 10 Å = 1 keV Fusion possible
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Summary Polywell capable of extended trapping time for electrons
Virtual cathodes produced using a Polywell and electron focus. Polywell capable of extended trapping time for electrons Thrust measurements on a micro-channel indicates spacecraft propulsion is possible A cyclotron based plasma neutron source is possible.
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