Abstract: The proposed novel nuclear fusion concept is unique because it makes use of the self-exciting magnetohydrodynamic dynamo principle for its steady state operation, with the dynamo driven by the heat released from thermonuclear reactions in the fusion plasma. But it also has the potential to reach much larger magnetic fields for confinement and particle number densities than are otherwise possible. This leaves open the question how to remove the heat from the centrifuge, even though this problem exists for the DT reaction only for the 20% of the fusion energy released in the centrifuge as charged particles, not for the 80% of the energy going into the kinetic energy of the neutrons which can be slowed down outside the centrifuge over a much larger distance.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for amplifying an energy beam such as a beam of laser light or a charged particle beam. An exemplary method includes providing a liner having a first end, a second end, a liner axis, and a lumen extending along the liner axis and being bound by interior reflective walls of the liner. An energy beam is introduced into the first end of the liner. The beam propagates through the lumen from the first end to the second end as the beam reflects multiple times from the interior walls of the liner. Meanwhile, an implosive force is applied to the liner. The implosive force compresses the interior walls implosively toward the liner axis in a manner that amplifies the beam as the beam propagates through the lumen of the imploding liner. The amplified energy beam can be used for any of various purposes including ignition of a fusion target.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for amplifying an energy beam such as a beam of laser light or a charged particle beam. An exemplary method includes providing a liner having a first end, a second end, a liner axis, and a lumen extending along the liner axis and being bound by interior reflective walls of the liner. An energy beam is introduced into the first end of the liner. The beam propagates through the lumen from the first end to the second end as the beam reflects multiple times from the interior walls of the liner. Meanwhile, an implosive force is applied to the liner. The implosive force compresses the interior walls implosively toward the liner axis in a manner that amplifies the beam as the beam propagates through the lumen of the imploding liner. The amplified energy beam can be used for any of various purposes including ignition of a fusion target.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating thermonuclear microexplosions includes a first pulsed high-voltage source configured for transmission of a first high-voltage pulse at a first high current. A second pulsed high voltage source is configured for transmission of a second high-voltage pulse at a potential higher than that of the first high-voltage pulse at a second high current having a magnitude less than that of the first high current. An inner transmission line is in electrical contact with the first pulsed high-voltage source, the inner line having a tapered end. An outer transmission line is disposed over the inner line and in electrical contact with the first pulsed high-voltage source. A deuterium-tritium mixture is disposed between the inner transmission line and the outer transmission line, the deuterium-tritium mixture having a tapered end spaced apart from the tapered end of said inner transmission line.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multistage high voltage accelerator which especially should be capable of producing intense ion-beams of many million Ampere and many million Volts. The proposed accelerator may reach beam voltages of 10.sup.8 [V] and beam currents of 10.sup.7 [A]. The accelerator consists of several axially arranged cylindrical high voltage vacuum insulated capacitors charged in parallel and which over triggered spark gap switches are discharged in series. The closing of the spark gap switches is done in such a manner that a magnetically selfinsulated high voltage pulse moves down the line composed by these capacitors. Super-ion-beams produced by this type of accelerator can exceed the limiting Alfven current for light ions, typically 10.sup.7 [A], and at which beam pinching occurs. The beam pinching of these super-beams permits them to be precisely focused onto a target for the controlled release of thermonuclear energy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel method for the controlled release of thermonuclear energy by inertial confinement. The essential feature of the invention is that is uses for the achievement of this goal high temperature black body radiation. The black body radiation is generated by hypervelocity impact onto a tenuous gas trapped inside a small cavity. The tenuous gas is shock-heated to high temperatures and thereby becomes a source of intense photon radiation, which after reaching thermodynamic equilibrium becomes a black body radiation. The thusly generated black body radiation is the furthermore amplified by adiabatic compression through the implosion of the cavity. During the implosion process the photons inside the cavity must be sufficiently well confined by the opacity of the cavity wall which sets a lower limit for the implosion velocity. The thusly created and amplified black body radiation is then used to ablatively implode and ignite a thermonuclear target placed inside the cavity.