Electrostatic-Inertial Plasma Confinement

摘要

The work was directed towards an answer to the question: 'How dense a plasma can be confined by electrostatic-inertial means.' Electrostatic-inertial plasma confinement consists of trapping charged particles in potential wells (of the electric field), which are produced by ions or electrons injected radially inwards into a hollow sphere or cylinder, called the grid. Theoretical expressions are derived for the potential, electron density and ion density as functions of radius, grid voltage and grid current. The main limitations on plasma density are summarized. A neon plasma was produced in cylindrical geometry. A device is proposed which could inject much higher currents at lower pressures. (Author)