Fokker -Planck Modeling of Spherical Inertial Electrostatic, Virtual -Cathode Fusion Systems

Results show that steady-state solutions of the bounce-averaged Fokker-Planck equation in which the Maxwellian ion population---absolutely confined in the electrostatic well---is dominant correspond to lowest ion recirculation powers (and hence highest fusion energy gains). Also, it is shown that the square-well assumption---used ubiquitously in previous analytical estimates of IEC fusion energy gain limits---is in fact a pessimistic one, and that more realistic parabolic-like wells are much more efficient operating regimes with fusion power to ion input power ratios >100 have been identified.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Nuclear Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Chacon De La Rosa, Luis

Contributors dc:contributor

• Miley, George H.

• Engineering, Nuclear

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI9955597

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/85950