Overview of Inertial Electrostatic Confinement Plasma Physics Research at the University of Wisconsin

In inertial-electrostatic confinement (IEC) fusion devices, a voltage difference between nearly transparent electrodes accelerates ions to fusion-relevant velocities, typically in spherical geometry. University of Wisconsin IEC research has produced $\sim10^8$ steady-state and $\sim10^{10}$ pulsed DD neutrons per second, plus $\sim10^8$ D$^3$He protons per second~[1]. The neutrons have been used to detect highly enriched uranium (HEU) and C-4 explosives; the protons have produced radioisotopes for positron emission tomography at proof-of-principle levels~[1]. A new 300 kV, 200 mA power supply will begin operation in 2012, which should increase fusion reaction rates. Presently, the investigation of IEC plasma physics issues at the University of Wisconsin comprises: (1) theoretical analysis of ion and neutral flow through atomic or molecular gases; (2) negative-ion production; (3) fusion of DD, D$^3$He, and $^3$He$^3$He; (4) converging ion beams; and (5) ion-surface interactions. Diagnostic development includes: (a) charged fusion product Doppler-shift and time-of-flight; (b) movable Faraday cup; and (c) double Langmuir probe.\\[4pt] [1] G.L. Kulcinski, et al., {\it Fusion Science and Technology} {\bf 56}, 493, (2009).