Doctoral Dissertations

Abstract

"This thesis examines several atomic collisional processes involved in controlled thermonuclear fusion. Specifically, experimental studies have been made on the state- selective single capture reaction

3He2+ + He —> 3He+(n) + He+(n'), (1)

on the double capture reaction

3He2+ + H e—> 3He + He2+ , (2)

and on the single ionization of atomic targets X

Aq+ + X —> Aq+ + X+ + e- (3)

by charged projectiles Aq+. Reactions (1) and (2) have an importance in plasma energy balance and in plasma diagnostics for fusion reactors. The ionization reaction (3) plays a significant role in neutral beam heating and energy balance in fusion plasmas.

Total cross sections were measured for capture into final states of n=n'=1 and the sum of the states n=2, n'=1 and n=1, n'=2 for reaction (1) at projectile energies of 15, 30 and 45 keV/amu. Differential cross sections as a function of scattering angle for reaction (2) have been measured for a projectile energy of 60 keV/amu. The single ionization reaction (3) has been studied by examining ionization of the rare gases by protons and alpha particles. The experimental work led to the discovery of a new ionization mechanism and this mechanism has led to the derivation of scaling laws which play an important role in computational modeling of fusion plasmas"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Gay, Timothy J. (Timothy James), 1953-

Committee Member(s)

Olson, Ronald E.
Hale, Edward Boyd
Bell, Robert John, 1934-
Anderson, H. U. (Harlan U.)

Department(s)

Physics

Degree Name

Ph. D. in Physics

Comments

The author gratefully acknowledges funding for this project from the Department of Energy, Office of Fusion Energy.

Publisher

University of Missouri--Rolla

Publication Date

Spring 1992

Pagination

xi, 197 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 193-196).

Rights

© 1992 Victor Dewitt Irby, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Dissertation - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Thesis Number

T 6403

Print OCLC #

26980885

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