Honors College Thesis
 

Tabletop fusion reactors : construction and testing of a demonstration inertial electrostatic confinement fusor

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https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/honors_college_theses/5d86p727z

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  • Nuclear fusion reactors comprise a significant field of study due to their potential to provide a limitless, clean, and sustainable source of energy. The inertial electrostatic confinement fusor is a type of fusion-generating device that accelerates deuterium gas to the conditions required for fusion. The goal of this research was to construct a demonstration fusor as an intermediary point in creating a full fusor. We first tested the pressure vessel's vacuum capabilities and the turbomolecular pump's functionality. The resulting vacuum was significantly below the required pressure, showing its ability to function under fusion conditions. High voltage was supplied by a neon sign transformer, which underwent worst-case scenario testing without fault. We introduced a spherical grid to accelerate ions toward the center of the fusor. The demonstration fusor was able to create and maintain a plasma ball, confirming successful construction. The collected data will inform a system model for the full fusor's start-up, incorporating variables such as pressure, voltage, and current. Our results verify the demonstration fusor is ready for further development into an inertial electrostatic confinement fusor. The completed fusor can be utilized as a neutron generator within material testing research for power-generating fusion reactors.
  • Keywords: Inertial Electrostatic Confinement, Fusor, Fusion, Neutron Generator
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