Abstract: Systems and methods establish plasma in a rotating magnetic field. An exemplary embodiment is a plasma thruster that establishes a first transverse magnetic field with respect to a system axis of a plasma propulsion system; establishes a second transverse magnetic field oriented orthogonally to the first transverse magnetic field, wherein the second transverse magnetic field is out of phase with the first transverse magnetic field; and establishes a magnetic field aligned with the system axis using a plurality of magnet elements oriented along the system axis. A plasma containment portion defines an interior region, wherein an interior region of a plasma containment portion accommodates a plasma that is established by a rotating magnetic field component that is cooperatively established by the first transverse magnetic field and the second transverse magnetic field, and wherein the plasma is accelerated out of the plasma containment portion by magnetic forces to generate a propulsion force.

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: 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: Systems and methods establish a magnetically insulated fusion process. An exemplary embodiment establishes a Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) plasma, wherein the FRC plasma is a closed field, magnetically confined plasma; collapses a metal shell about the FRC plasma; and establishes a fusion reaction in response to collapsing the metal shell about the FRC plasma.

Abstract: Systems and methods establish a magnetically insulated fusion process. An exemplary embodiment establishes a Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) plasma, wherein the FRC plasma is a closed field, magnetically confined plasma; collapses a metal shell about the FRC plasma; and establishes a fusion reaction in response to collapsing the metal shell about the FRC plasma.

Abstract: Systems and methods establish plasma in a rotating magnetic field. An exemplary embodiment is a plasma thruster that establishes a first transverse magnetic field with respect to a system axis of a plasma propulsion system; establishes a second transverse magnetic field oriented orthogonally to the first transverse magnetic field, wherein the second transverse magnetic field is out of phase with the first transverse magnetic field; and establishes a magnetic field aligned with the system axis using a plurality of magnet elements oriented along the system axis. A plasma containment portion defines an interior region, wherein an interior region of a plasma containment portion accommodates a plasma that is established by a rotating magnetic field component that is cooperatively established by the first transverse magnetic field and the second transverse magnetic field, and wherein the plasma is accelerated out of the plasma containment portion by magnetic forces to generate a propulsion force.

Abstract: Systems and methods establish a magnetically insulated fusion process. An exemplary embodiment establishes a Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) plasma, wherein the FRC plasma is a closed field, magnetically confined plasma; collapses a metal shell about the FRC plasma; and establishes a fusion reaction in response to collapsing the metal shell about the FRC plasma.

Abstract: Systems and methods establish a magnetically insulated fusion process. An exemplary embodiment establishes a Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) plasma, wherein the FRC plasma is a closed field, magnetically confined plasma; collapses a metal shell about the FRC plasma; and establishes a fusion reaction in response to collapsing the metal shell about the FRC plasma.

Abstract: Systems and methods establish plasma in a rotating magnetic field. An exemplary embodiment is a plasma thruster that establishes a first transverse magnetic field with respect to a system axis of a plasma propulsion system; establishes a second transverse magnetic field oriented orthogonally to the first transverse magnetic field, wherein the second transverse magnetic field is out of phase with the first transverse magnetic field; and establishes a magnetic field aligned with the system axis using a plurality of magnet elements oriented along the system axis. A plasma containment portion defines an interior region, wherein an interior region of a plasma containment portion accommodates a plasma that is established by a rotating magnetic field component that is cooperatively established by the first transverse magnetic field and the second transverse magnetic field, and wherein the plasma is accelerated out of the plasma containment portion by magnetic forces to generate a propulsion force.

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.