New model of calculating the energy transfer efficiency for the spherical theta-pinch device

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new assumption-free model for calculating energy transfer efficiency in spherical theta-pinch devices, improving accuracy over traditional models and providing comprehensive efficiency analysis across various operational conditions.

Contribution

A novel model for energy transfer efficiency calculation that eliminates assumptions inherent in traditional models, enhancing precision in plasma device design.

Findings

Traditional models tend to overestimate or underestimate efficiency.

The new model provides more accurate efficiency estimates across different conditions.

Comparison shows significant differences between models at various pressures and voltages.

Abstract

Ion-beam-plasma-interaction plays an important role in the field of Warm Dense Matter (WDM) and Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF). A spherical theta pinch is proposed to act as a plasma target in various applications including a plasma stripper cell. One key parameter for such applications is the free electron density. A linear dependency of this density to the amount of energy transferred into the plasma from an energy storage was found by C. Teske. Since the amount of stored energy is known, the energy transfer efficiency is a reliable parameter for the design of a spherical theta pinch device. The traditional two models of energy transfer efficiency are based on assumptions which comprise the risk of systematical errors. To obtain precise results, this paper proposes a new model without the necessity of any assumption to calculate the energy transfer efficiency for an inductively coupled plasma device. Further, a comparison of these three different models is given at a fixed operation voltage for the full range of working gas pressures. Due to the inappropriate assumptions included in the traditional models, one owns a tendency to overestimate the energy transfer efficiency whereas the other leads to an underestimation. Applying our new model to a wide spread set of operation voltages and gas pressures, an overall picture of the energy transfer efficiency results.