Concept Studies have shown the IEC to be one of the most attractive approaches to fusion propulsion, provided the physics and technology involved can be scaled-up to high power levels. A key step involves development of a pulsed IEC that can obtain high ion currents along with good ion confinement. Results from initial pulsed IEC experiments are described here. The obtainment of a D-D fusion neutron yeild of 8 x 10~8 n/s at a peak pulse current of 17 A demonstrates that the dynamic formation of the required accelerating fields with the IEC discharge is possible. A next step involves improvement in confinement.
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机译：概念研究表明，只要涉及的物理和技术可以按比例放大到高功率水平，IEC就是最有魅力的聚变推进方法之一。关键步骤涉及开发脉冲式IEC，该脉冲式IEC可以获得高离子电流以及良好的离子限制。初始脉冲IEC实验的结果在此描述。在17 A的峰值脉冲电流下获得8 x 10〜8 n / s的D-D聚变中子，表明IEC放电可以动态形成所需的加速场。下一步涉及改善隔离度。
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