Investigation of spatial distribution of neutron production rate and its dependency on pressure in spherical IECF by one-dimensional simulations

We have been developing a 1-D PIC simulation code of a spherical IECF (inertial electrostatic confinement fusion) device. In a previous paper, we have included atomic processes between energetic particles and background gases, and showed mechanisms of IECF discharge. In this paper, we have investigated fusion reaction characteristics, especially these spatial distribution and dependence on gas pressure, using this code. It was found that NPR (neutron production rate) dependence on pressure and discharge current obtained through simulation agreed with experimental results, though quantitatively there remains about 1.5 times difference. Spatial distribution of NPR through ion-background collision has peak value near the cathode and that through neutral-background collision distributes evenly.