Dense plasma focus for D-/sup 3/He burning

Studies have been performed to determine the feasibility of D-/sup 3/He burning in dense plasma focus (DPF) device as a possible propulsion system for space. A large potential difference between the DPF electrodes ionizes the gaseous fusion fuel and forms on annular plasma sheath. The "run-down" phase and the subsequent stability are analyzed by solving the momentum equation using the snowplow model and the cylindrical m=0 mode. It is found that the results of the pinch equilibrium profiles agree with the assumed current-squared scaling of energy density, and that the total fusion power released from the pinch scales as plasma current, I/sub p//sup 5.4/. This is found to correlate well with the reaction rate parameter data for the utilized fuel of D-/sup 3/He.