Editing Inertial electrostatic confinement (section)

===Fusor===

The best known IEC device is the fusor.<ref name="Hirsch"/> This device typically consists of two wire cages inside a vacuum chamber. These cages are referred to as grids. The inner cage is held at a negative voltage against the outer cage. A small amount of [[nuclear fuel#Fusion fuels|fusion fuel]] is introduced ([[deuterium]] gas being the most common). The voltage between the grids causes the fuel to ionize. The positive ions fall down the voltage drop toward the negative inner cage. As they accelerate, the [[electric field]] does [[work (electrical)|work]] on the ions, accelerating them to fusion conditions. If these ions collide, they can fuse. Fusors can also use [[particle accelerator|ion gun]]s rather than electric grids. Fusors are popular with amateurs,<ref>{{cite web |title=The Open Source Fusor Research Consortium |website=fusor.net |url=https://fusor.net/ |access-date=January 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200904123324/http://www.fusor.net/ |archive-date=September 4, 2020 |quote=Since its inception in 1998, Fusor.net has provided valuable educational resources for hundreds of amateur scientists around the world. There is absolutely no cost to users for these abundant resources.}}</ref> because they can easily be constructed, can regularly produce fusion and are a practical way to study [[nuclear physics]]. Fusors have also been used as a commercial [[neutron generator]] for industrial applications.<ref>{{cite web |title=- Gradel - Neutron generators of the latest technology with multiple possible applications. |first=awesome Webdesign Bremen |last=Oldenburg |website=nsd-fusion.com |url=http://www.nsd-fusion.com/ |access-date=2014-01-09 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020063106/http://www.nsd-fusion.com/ |archive-date=2020-10-20}}</ref>

No fusor has come close to producing a significant amount of [[fusion power]]. They can be dangerous if proper care is not taken because they require high voltages and can produce harmful radiation ([[neutrons]] and [[X-ray]]s). Often, ions collide with the cages or wall. This [[electrical conductor|conducts]] energy away from the device limiting its performance. In addition, collisions heat the grids, which limits high-power devices. Collisions also spray high-mass ions into the reaction chamber, pollute the plasma, and cool the fuel.