D-/sup 3/He fusion in an inertial electrostatic confinement device

Advanced fusion fuels, D and /sup 3/He, have been successfully fused in an inertial electrostatic confinement device at the University of Wisconsin. It is thought that this is the first known fusion of helium-3 with deuterium on a steady state basis. The detection of 14.7 MeV protons has confirmed the reaction of D-/sup 3/He fusion, and has produced a continuous, charged particle flux in excess of 1.4/spl times/10/sup 5/ protons/s. Using the same device with D-D fuel a neutron rate of 2.2/spl times/10/sup 7/ was achieved. Operating parameters that affect the reaction rate are discussed.