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Virtual Cathode in a Spherical Inertial Electrostatic Confinement Device

Hiromu Momota, George H. Miley

Fusion Science and Technology / Volume 39 / Number 2P2 / March 2001 / Pages 498-503

Alternate and Advanced Concepts / dx.doi.org/10.13182/FST01-A11963285

Published:February 8, 2018

“Double-well” potential structure (virtual cathode formation) is studied in a spherical inertial electrostatic confinement (SIEC) device using non-linear Poisson's equation. Particle densities are derived from a kinetic equation equivalent to Vlasov's equation. Velocities of collision-free electrons and ions at the edge of the configuration will be almost aligned towards the center, however, they have small divergences. Analyses show appearance of a virtual cathode potential well relevant to bum fusion fuels near the center of SIEC.