Summary
Inertial electrostatic confinement (IEC) uses electric fields to heat plasma to fusion conditions. In many ways, this is not a fully-fledged reactor approach but rather a heating method. However, it is simple enough that normal people can and do achieve fusion in their homes with IEC. Moreover, IEC devices can create fusion continuously for weeks on end. That is very exciting. Most fledgling technologies benefit not only from the work of professors in their ivory towers but also from hobbyists and innovators working out of their garages, and IEC fusion is no exception. This chapter will discuss real-world applications of this branch of fusion, some that found commercial markets as early as 2000 and others that show promise as sources of neutrons and helium.
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Moynihan, M., Bortz, A.B. (2023). Inertial Electrostatic Confinement. In: Fusion's Promise. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-22906-0_10
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