UWFDM-1374 Deuterium Anions in Inertial Electrostatic Confinement Devices

A magnetic deflection energy analyzer and Faraday trap diagnostic have been used to make measurements of divergent deuterium anion flow in the inertial electrostatic confinement experiment at the University of Wisconsin – Madison (UW – IEC) [J. F. Santarius, G. L. Kulcinski, R. P. Ashley, D. R. Boris, B. B. Cipiti, S. K. Murali, G. R. Piefer, R. F. Radel, I. E. Radel, and A. L. Wehmeyer, Fusion Sci. Technol. 47, 1238 (2005)], a device to confine high energy light ions in a spherically symmetric, electrostatic potential well. Deuterium anion current densities as high as 8.5 μA/cm have been measured at the wall of the UW IEC device, 40 cm from the surface of the device cathode with a detector assembly of admittance area 0.7 cm. Energy spectra obtained using a magnetic deflection energy analyzer diagnostic indicate the presence of D2 and D ions produced through thermal electron attachment near the device cathode, as well as D ions produced via charge transfer processes between the anode and cathode of the device.