Pulsed IEC neutron generator

Inertial electrostatic confinement (IEC) fusion confines high energy ions in a spherical potential well where convergence in a central "core" region yields a high fusion rate. When operated in steady-state, the measured D-D neutron yield for a 30 cm diameter (7.5 cm diameter grid) IEC varies linearly with current I, giving /spl sim/10/sup 6/ neutrons/sec at 15 mA and 70 kV. Theoretically the yield should scale as a power law in I at higher currents, being proportional to I/sup 2/ in a pure beam-beam fusion regime. This favorable scaling, plus the need for short neutron bursts for some applications, motivates the development of a pulsed IEC. The present pulsed circuit provides amp-level pulses with tens of ms duration, simulating a quasi-steady state operation while avoiding arcing and controlling voltage excursions. Results demonstrating that the yield /spl sim/I/sup 2/ for 15-150 mA are presented, along with an approximate perveance criterion for initial double potential well formation.