Kinetic Modeling of the IEC Device in Order to Predict the Number of Produced Ions

An inertial electrostatic confinement (IEC) device is often referred to as a portable neutron source and can be used as a research reactor due to its simple structure and low cost. This device includes two electrodes and a feed-stalk. By using a power source, a voltage difference is applied between two electrodes, by means of a feed-stalk connected to the inner electrode. A lot of experimental and simulation research has been done on this device all over the world. In this work, the IEC device is kinetically modeled using the particle-in-cell (PIC) method. This modeling has been done at a constant voltage of –25 kV and pressure range ( $$1 \times {{10}^{{ - 2}}}$$ to $$1 \times {{10}^{{ - 4}}}$$ Torr). According to the obtained results, the number of ions increases with decreasing pressure. At $$1 \times {{10}^{{ - 2}}}$$ Torr, the number of ions is equal to $$1.03 \times {{10}^{{11}}}$$ , while at $$1 \times {{10}^{{ - 4}}}$$ Torr, this value increases to $$9.35 \times {{10}^{{12}}}$$ . This increase in ions shows that the mean free distance increases with the decrease in pressure, and the probability of collision between ions and neutrals decreases.