Abstract: Disclosed is a system for producing electromagnetic radiation with enhancement from a drift tube containing a cylindrical Smith-Purcell structure. The system includes a magnetically insulated linear oscillator. The oscillator includes a cylindrical resonant cavity having a traveling wave electron gun and a cooperating anode. The drift tube is formed of a hollow cylindrical conductive element that is positioned within a resonant cavity of the oscillator. The drift tube includes an inner surface and a pair of ends. The drift tube may be adapted such that the interaction between an electron beam, from the electron gun, passes through the inner space of the drift tube, and the internal grating, so as to produce RF radiation by the Smith-Purcell Effect. Spacing, face angle and shape of the grating, and the energy of the electron beam are determinants of the frequency of the RF radiation.

Abstract: Systems for enhancing preignition conditions of a fusion reaction are disclosed. A first system includes a target chamber for receiving a fusion fuel, and energy driving means oriented to direct plasma confinement structure onto to the fusion fuel to facilitate ignition of a controlled fusion reaction of said fusion fuel. A plurality of electron sources provides electron beams of a predetermined energy and one of fluence and quantity, directed onto and illuminating, a fusion fuel-derived plasma for controlling the ratio of ion temperature and electron temperature of the plasma. A second system comprises a central target chamber for receiving a spherical pellet of fusion target material and at least first and second pluralities of energy drivers oriented to supply temporally-staged X-ray pulses to the fusion target material in a 3-dimensionally symmetric manner about said pellet. A third system combines aspects of the first and second systems.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting one or both of the native material in an object and any foreign material in the object by parallel-mode spectroscopy, comprising parallel-mode data acquisition, signal processing and data reduction and providing results. Parallel-mode data acquisition comprises producing an interrogating signal simultaneously containing electromagnetic radiation of sufficient bandwidth in the range of approximately 10 GHz to approximately 25 THz to allow simultaneous detection of a plurality of signals at a plurality of frequencies, each signal being at some amplitude, which collectively provide a unique spectral signature of a material whose detection is desired. The signal processing and data reduction comprises processing a signal resulting from exposing the object to the interrogating radiation to produce a three-dimensional data matrix representative of at least any foreign or native material associated with the object.

Abstract: Disclosed is a drift tube formed of a hollow cylindrical conductive element having a having an inner surface and a pair of ends. A periodic grating surface is formed on the inner surface of the hollow cylindrical element and the ends are radiused to minimize electrical stress buildup. The interaction between a relativistic electron beam from an electron source passing through the inner space of the hollow element and the internal grating produces RF radiation by the Smith-Purcell Effect. Spacing, face angle and shape of the grating, and the energy of the electron bean are determinants of the frequency of the RF radiation.

Abstract: An Electron-coupled transformer for generating a high voltage output pulse as an amplified version of an input pulse comprises a cylindrical triode electron tube with a central anode along main axis and a grid and cathode radially spaced from the anode. The anode has a first end connected to ground and a second end insulated with respect to said ground. The cathode and the grid form a traveling wave electron gun that produces a wave of ground potential in the Transverse Electric Mode, which causes electrons stored in the cathode-grid gap to be extracted from said gap. The extracted electrons form a radially symmetric collapsing traveling wave that sweeps as a wave along the anode at the speed of light, causing a voltage output pulse on the second end of the anode whose magnitude is an amplified version of an input pulse applied to the cathode.

Abstract: One form of the invention provides a method and apparatus for preventing an extraordinary electromagnetic pulse from reaching and rendering inoperative an electrical component of an electrical power system, wherein the component is located in a conductive path of the system that receives the pulse. The method and apparatus comprises the steps or means for detecting the presence of the pulse in the conductive path prior to the pulse reaching and rendering inoperative the electrical component. The pulse is diverted around the electrical component with a low inductance, high current capacity circuit relative to the electrical component before the pulse can reach and render the electrical component inoperative. The foregoing invention may beneficially utilize a high-speed current shunt comprising a flat conductive metal strap having a defined current-measuring region, a tapered parallel-plate transmission-line matching transformer attached to the current-measuring region and an output via a coaxial cable.

Abstract: One form of the invention provides a method and apparatus for preventing an extraordinary electromagnetic pulse from reaching and rendering inoperative an electrical component of an electrical power system, wherein the component is located in a conductive path of the system that receives the pulse. The method and apparatus comprises the steps or means for detecting the presence of the pulse in the conductive path prior to the pulse reaching and rendering inoperative the electrical component. The pulse is diverted around the electrical component with a low inductance, high current capacity circuit relative to the electrical component before the pulse can reach and render the electrical component inoperative. The foregoing invention may beneficially utilize a high-speed current shunt comprising a flat conductive metal strap having a defined current-measuring region, a tapered parallel-plate transmission-line matching transformer attached to the current-measuring region and an output via a coaxial cable.

Abstract: A method for inducing chemical reactions using X-ray radiation comprises generating an irradiation volume within the interior of a reaction vessel by introducing X-ray radiation into the volume, in which two or more reactants are introduced. With respect to the two or more reactants and any subsequently created intermediate reactant or reactants, the aggregate extent to which the foregoing reactants are to be ionized to any degree is selectively controlled, and the average degree of ionization in the irradiation volume, from partial to total, of that portion of the foregoing reactants which is to be ionized is selectively controlled, through control of the fluence and energy of the X-ray radiation, to thereby induce selective reactions of reactants to occur in the irradiation volume. One or more reactants may be delivered through a double-walled pipe containing X-ray shielding to prevent their premature irradiation before being injected into the irradiation volume.

Abstract: High voltage high current regulator circuit for regulating current is interposed between first and second terminals connected to an external circuit and comprises at least one main-current carrying cold-cathode field emission electron tube conducting current between the first and second terminals. First and second grid-control cold-cathode field emission electron tubes provide control signals for first and second grids of the at least one main-current carrying cold-cathode field emission electron tube for positive and negative excursions of voltage on the first and second terminals, respectively. The current regulator circuit may be accompanied by a voltage-clamping circuit that includes at least one cold-cathode field emission electron tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for Flash X-ray irradiation of material includes a Flash X-ray source comprised of an electron gun and an anode. The electron gun comprises a field emission cold cathode having an electron emitting surface, and a grid for controlling electron flow from the cathode to the anode. The anode has an electron-receiving main surface and an X-ray emitting, oppositely facing main surface. The X-ray emitting surface, emits X-radiation into an irradiation volume. The X-ray emitting surface of the anode has orthogonally oriented first and second dimensions of greater than 2 millimeters each. A high voltage pulse power supply powers the Flash X-ray source. The electron gun, anode and high voltage pulse power supply are so constructed as to create sufficient X-radiation in said irradiation volume to achieve a desired level of irradiation of material in said volume.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting one or both of the native material in an object and any foreign material in the object by parallel-mode spectroscopy, comprising parallel-mode data acquisition, signal processing and data reduction and providing results. Parallel-mode data acquisition comprises producing an interrogating signal simultaneously containing electromagnetic radiation of sufficient bandwidth in the range of approximately 10 GHz to approximately 25 THz to allow simultaneous detection of a plurality of signals at a plurality of frequencies, each signal being at some amplitude, which collectively provide a unique spectral signature of a material whose detection is desired. The signal processing and data reduction comprises processing a signal resulting from exposing the object to the interrogating radiation to produce a three-dimensional data matrix representative of at least any foreign or native material associated with the object.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cascade voltage amplifier for producing an amplified output in pulse or continuous wave form comprises at least one non-final stage with an electron tube configured as a switching and Class A or C amplifying structure. A final stage comprises an electron tube configured as a Class A or C amplifying structure. The at least one non-final stage and the final stage are connected in series, and the amplified output has a voltage of at least 1000 volts. Further disclosed is a method of activating a plurality of cascaded electron tube stages within a common vacuum enclosure. Beneficially, a sufficient amount of energy supplied to the first stage serially propagates through any intervening stage to the final stage so as to facilitate activation of all tube stages.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high voltage inverter for converting DC power to AC power with one or more AC output phases. The inverter has for each AC output phase an AC input phase circuit comprising first and second cold cathode field emission controllable electron tubes of triode, tetrode or pentode structure. Each electron tube has a first input node for connection to a high voltage DC potential in excess of 20 KV and a second input node for connection to ground. First electron tube is serially connected between a first end of a primary winding and ground, and second electron tube is serially connected between a second end of the primary winding and ground. Control circuitry controls the electron tubes so that the first and second electron tubes alternatively conduct so as to alternately bring the first and then second end of the primary winding approximately to the potential of ground.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel compound used as a fuel for thermonuclear fusion reactions for power generation applications. The compound is 11Boron Deuteride, which is an analogue of Boron Hydride. Also disclosed is a method of production of this compound.

Abstract: One form of the invention provides a method and apparatus for preventing an extraordinary electromagnetic pulse from reaching and rendering inoperative an electrical component of an electrical power system, wherein the component is located in a conductive path of the system that receives the pulse. The method and apparatus comprises the steps or means for detecting the presence of the pulse in the conductive path prior to the pulse reaching and rendering inoperative the electrical component. The pulse is diverted around the electrical component with a low inductance, high current capacity circuit relative to the electrical component before the pulse can reach and render the electrical component inoperative. The foregoing invention may beneficially utilize a high-speed current shunt comprising a flat conductive metal strap having a defined current-measuring region, a tapered parallel-plate transmission-line matching transformer attached to the current-measuring region and an output via a coaxial cable.