MEIEC (microwave enhancement of inertial electrostatic confinement) of plasma for fusion: theory and experiment

Summary form only given. While the search for a practical fusion energy source has been pursued for decades, ultimate success remains elusive, and the need is apparent for continued research into alternative experimental fusion techniques. A method that has received fair attention over the past few years is inertial electrostatic confinement (IEC) fusion, a system in which a convergent ion focus is obtained solely through electrostatic fields. The work performed here involves an IEC device using spherical geometry, and includes the introduction of a new variable: the addition of high frequency electromagnetic radial (EM) fields, into its operation. The high frequency EM fields are predicted to increase pressure on the plasma via the electron pondermotive force. Preliminary results have shown enhanced central density increases under application of 2.45 GHz microwaves. The theory and experimental design is discussed.