The operating procedure was as follows:
1) Open the copper switch.
2) Ensure gas solenoid switch is closed. (tank pressure < 1E-6 torr)
3) Enable all recording instrumentation.
4) Charge section of gas tubing to desired value (usually 300mtorr).
5) Activate heating current for emitters, via Siemens switch.
6) Enable the Hipo power supply, and charge capacitors to desired voltage.
7) Disable Hipo, via “Stop Charge”, while leaving caps charged.
8) Turn on magnetic field to desired value, via battery bank IGBTs.
9) Close copper switch, thus allowing emitters to start emitting electrons
10) Quickly close relay for gas solenoid, releasing gas into system, and discharging capacitor bank.
11) Turn off uncooled magnets, once sure caps have discharged.
12) Secure emitters, gas line, high voltage, and stop recording data.
Is Polywell better than a fusor?
Yup, page 22.
Yup, I had a copy of it and that's where I saw the pictures of the electron sources. It makes a lot more sense now that I've played with the math a bit. I'm still confused about some of his comments though, so a bit more digging into the details will be well worth it.
The cascade of ionization at start up makes sense, but I wonder if microwave heating might be more efficient. It's definitly more expensive though, so for proof of principle microwaves are not necessary. Ultimately it depends on the plasma desnsity - if the density is high enough the microwaves will reflect off the plasma. But after "striking the match" you may not care.
The cascade of ionization at start up makes sense, but I wonder if microwave heating might be more efficient. It's definitly more expensive though, so for proof of principle microwaves are not necessary. Ultimately it depends on the plasma desnsity - if the density is high enough the microwaves will reflect off the plasma. But after "striking the match" you may not care.