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An overview of new initiatives in IEC at the University of Sydney

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Presentation on theme: "An overview of new initiatives in IEC at the University of Sydney"— Presentation transcript:

1 An overview of new initiatives in IEC at the University of Sydney
Joe Khachan, Matthew Carr, Scott Cornish, David Gummersall, Adam Israel, Colin Tuft

2 Current projects include:
Creation of virtual cathode for IEC Electric propulsion for spacecraft using gridded IEC micro-channels Beam-background fusion for neutron sources

3 Virtual cathode: The Polywell
Null Red is the largest magnitude. Blue is the smallest

4 Virtual cathode: The Polywell
Three dimensional magnetic cusps to trap electron at the center resulting in a deep potential well Graphic form

5 Virtual cathode: The Polywell
Our Polywell arrangement. Langmuir probe Electron beam

6 Virtual cathode: The Polywell
Current through coils Floating potential from probe at the center

7 Virtual cathode: Electron focus
Central spherical grid is now the anode. Chamber is the cathode

8 Virtual cathode: Electron focus
Langmuir probe Anode

9 Virtual cathode: Electron focus
Discharge is contained mostly within the anode during a high voltage pulse

10 Virtual cathode: Electron focus
Virtual cathodes oscillates at the center.

11 Virtual cathode: Electron focus
Oscillations are damped and the well is not as deep as that of the center.

12 Electric propulsion Micro-Channels consist of collimated energetic neutrals traveling away from the center.

13 Electric propulsion Plume Charge Exchange Thruster Hollow cathode
Anode Plume Glass tube Anode Charge Exchange Thruster

14 Electric propulsion 0.1 millinewton for 100 Watts of power
Thrust measurement

15 Electric propulsion 0.1 mN for H at 100W
1.0 mN for Xe at 100 W (estimated) Comparable to Hall thrusters. Thrust measurement

16 Neutron source: Cyclotron
Use cyclotron motion to maximum beam-background fusion.

17 Neutron source: Cyclotron
Introduce deuterium into a cyclotron

18 Neutron source: Cyclotron

19 Neutron source: Cyclotron
Hydrogen Doppler spectrum 10 Å = 1 keV Fusion possible

20 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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