Pre-ionization studies on the modular theta-pinch experiment for field-reversed configuration applications

A new semi-empirical model is introduced for the quantification of inductively-coupled breakdown systems. The model is informed by breakdown studies conducted on the Modular Theta-pinch eXperiment (MTX). Observations made of inductively-coupled breakdown behaviour are consistent with the model's expectations, indicating that the model can be used to aid in design of inductively-coupled pre-ionization systems. The model is further found to be capable of quantifying the efficacy of seed ionization in inductively-coupled systems. Comparisons are made between the standard ringing-theta and a new field-aligned dipole pre-ionization systems. In the presence of sufficient seed ionization, no physical reason was observed for selection of one method over the other, leaving only engineering considerations as the determining factor for selection of an appropriate pre-ionization system. This work is supported by the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science (ICTAS) at Virginia Tech and the National Nuclear Security Administration of the U.S. Department of Energy. LA-UR-24-31269

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Aerospace Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Aerospace and Ocean Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Bean, Ian Alexander

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Adams, Colin

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Weber, Thomas
• Scales, Wayne A.
• Srinivasan, Bhuvana

• Pre-ionization
• Seed Ionization
• Inductively-Coupled Breakdown
• FRC

Statement dc:rights

• Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Dc Identifier Other

vt_gsexam:41687

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/121517