Abstract: A method and apparatus to shield various components (e.g., a gasket, a sensor, a wire, a mechanical component made of metals and/or polymers) deployed in a vacuum environment using a shield assembly formed from multiple ceramic fibers. The shield assembly reduces damage to the components when exposed to a plasma and the generation of contaminants. The ceramic fibers are formed from a ceramic and arranged in a packed structure creating a tortuous trajectory that suppresses the transport of charged particles and/or contaminants through the shield assembly. The ceramic fibers are mechanically compliant and readily bent and/or packed into gaps without fracture. The ceramic fibers may also be formed into a tube to surround a fiberglass rod, a gasket, a sensor, and/or a wire. The presence of the shield assemblies also permits cleaning of the interior surfaces of the vacuum chamber using a plasma without generating contaminants from the gaskets.

Abstract: A multi-fed, multi-segmented magnetic coil assembly includes inertial dampers that can avoid excessive strain on core portions and fasteners that hold core portions of the magnetic coil together. Energy-absorbing elements are used to absorb and dissipate kinetic energy of oscillating components of the magnetic coil that result from high magnetic pressure acting on core segments. The inertial dampers and energy-absorbing elements can be selected to critically damp or overdamp mechanical oscillation in the magnetic coil assembly, allowing continuous repeated production of intense magnetic fields.

Abstract: Energy-recovery systems and methods are described that can recover excess energy remaining in an electrical or electromagnetic system after the system performs a function during each operational cycle of the system. The recovered energy can be made available for the start of the next operational cycle. The energy-recovery circuits are suitable for high voltage and/or high current pulsed-power applications.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an insert block which in turn includes contact elements to electrically couple to first conductors of a set of cables. The insert block also includes first interconnects, each first interconnect including a passage formed through the volume of the insert block. The apparatus also includes an insulator block coupled to the insert block and including second interconnects aligned to the set of first interconnects. The apparatus further includes a back plate coupled to the insulator block and including a set of third interconnects aligned to the set of first interconnects and the set of second interconnects. During use, the cables are disposable through the first interconnects, the second interconnects, and the third interconnects such that, for each cable, a second conductor of that cable is electrically insulated from the insert block and is electrically coupled to the back plate.

Abstract: A single-turn coil and supporting structure for producing intense magnetic fields are described. Magnetic field and mechanical stress analyses aid in designing a magnetic coil assembly that can produce peak magnetic fields in excess of 10 Tesla in large cavities for more than 1,000 pulses.

Abstract: A vacuum pump includes a liquid getter that is sprayed into a pump chamber. The sprayed liquid getter can chemically bind with gaseous substance in the pump chamber to create ultra-low pressure in the pump chamber and an attached vacuum chamber. The liquefied getter can be circulated and recycled in the vacuum pump.

Abstract: A protection circuit senses when one supply circuit in a group is activating to deliver current to a circuit component and issues firing signals to simultaneously activate other supply circuits in the group. The supply circuits may deliver large currents and high power. The protection circuit may prevent damage to a system that might otherwise occur if one supply circuit in the group activates in isolation.

Abstract: A magnetic field system is configured to generate intense, dynamically-varying magnetic fields to confine and control particles, objects, or plasmas. The magnetic fields may pulsate to impart and directly extract energy from a plasma.

Abstract: Examples of advanced fuel cycles for fusion reactors are described. Examples include fuel cycles for use in field reverse configuration (FRC) plasma reactors. In some examples, reaction gases may be removed from a fusion reactor between pulses (e.g. plasmoid collisions). In some examples, a D-3He reaction is performed, with the 3He provided from decay of byproducts of previous reactions (e.g. tritium).

Abstract: Examples of advanced fuel cycles for fusion reactors are described. Examples include fuel cycles for use in field reverse configuration (FRC) plasma reactors. In some examples, reaction gases may be removed from a fusion reactor between pulses (e.g. plasmoid collisions). In some examples, a D-3He reaction is performed, with the 3He provided from decay of byproducts of previous reactions (e.g. tritium).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for heating and/or compressing plasmas to thermonuclear temperatures and densities are provided. In one aspect, at least one of at least two plasmoids separated by a distance is accelerated towards the other. The plasmoids interact, for instance to form a resultant plasmoid, to convert a kinetic energy into a thermal energy. The resultant plasmoid is confined in a high energy density state using a magnetic field. One or more plasmoids may be compressed. Energy may be recovered, for example via a blanket and/or directly via one or more coils that create a magnetic field and/or circuits that control the coils.

Abstract: Examples of advanced fuel cycles for fusion reactors are described. Examples include fuel cycles for use in field reverse configuration (FRC) plasma reactors. In some examples, reaction gases may be removed from a fusion reactor between pulses (e.g. plasmoid collisions). In some examples, a D-3He reaction is performed, with the 3He provided from decay of byproducts of previous reactions (e.g. tritium).