Abstract: A combustion enhancement system that enhances combustion by providing enriched with hydrogen-enriched fuel to a combustion region, and igniting the combustible hydrogen-enriched fuel by one or more ignitor is disclosed. The ignitor has a first electrically conductive surface spaced from a second electrically conductive surface to form a gap in direct communication with the combustion region. The ignitor includes a housing having a first portion and a second portion, a first electrically conductive surface proximate the second portion of the housing, a second electrically conductive surface proximate the second portion of the housing and spaced from the first electrically conductive surface to form a discharge gap. The discharge gap has a discharge initiation region. A fluid passage extends between the first portion and the second portion, the fluid passage being in communication with the discharge gap. An insulator has a surface exposed to the discharge gap.

Abstract: A plasma ignitor, or plasma source, for igniting a combustible mixture in an internal combustion engine. The ignitor includes at least two spaced apart electrodes dimensioned and arranged such that an outwardly moving plasma is formed when a voltage is applied across the electrodes. The present invention is characterized by its efficient use of input electrical energy for driving the plasma ignitor and by an ignition plasma kernel which is several orders of magnitude larger than that produced by conventional spark plugs. Outward motion and expansion of the plasma kernel is produced by a combination of Lorentz and thermal forces. Use of very lean combustible mixtures, in which the dilution of the mixture is achieved by use of exhaust gas recirculation, is made possible by the present ignition system. Improvement in engine efficiency, and a major reduction in exhaust gas pollutants are obtained.

Abstract: An high efficiency low energy ignitor and associated electrical systems for creating larger plasma ignition kernels to ignite a gaseous mixture of air fuel in a combustion engine is described. The apparatus has at least two spaced apart electrodes having a discharge gap between them. When a sufficiently high first potential is applied between the electrodes a plasma is formed from the air fuel. The volume of this plasma is increased by the application of a second voltage that creates a current through the plasma. The location where the current travels through the plasma is swept outward along with the plasma, due to the interaction of Lorentz and thermal expansion forces. This leads to a larger volume of plasma being created and thereby increases the efficiency of the burn cycle of the combustion engine. Also described are dimensioning characteristics related to the electrodes and the space between them that achieve optimal plasma formation and expulsion.

Abstract: A plasma injector for an internal combustion engine, in one embodiment, includes two spaced apart and parallel donut shaped disk electrodes, between which a horizontally outward moving plasma is formed via a high voltage applied across the electrodes. The present invention is characterized by its efficient use of input electrical energy via electronic circuitry for driving the plasma injector. An ignition source provides an ignition plasma kernel which is several orders of magnitude larger than that produced by conventional spark plugs.Use of very lean combustible mixtures, in which the dilution of the mixture is achieved by use of exhaust gas recirculation, is made possible by the present ignition system. Considerable improvement in engine efficiency, and a major reduction in NO.sub.x exhaust gas pollutants are obtained via the present ignition.

Abstract: A reflection soft X-ray microscope is provided by generating soft X-ray beams, condensing the X-ray beams to strike a surface of an object at a predetermined angle, and focusing the X-ray beams reflected from the surface onto a detector, for recording an image of the surface or near surface features of the object under observation.

Abstract: A microscope consisting of an x-ray contact microscope and an optical microscope. The optical, phase contrast, microscope is used to align a target with respect to a source of soft x-rays. The source of soft x-rays preferably comprises an x-ray laser but could comprise a synchrotron or other pulse source of x-rays. Transparent resist material is used to support the target. The optical microscope is located on the opposite side of the transparent resist material from the target and is employed to align the target with respect to the anticipated soft x-ray laser beam. After alignment with the use of the optical microscope, the target is exposed to the soft x-ray laser beam. The x-ray sensitive transparent resist material whose chemical bonds are altered by the x-ray beam passing through the target materGOVERNMENT LICENSE RIGHTSThis invention was made with government support under Contract No. De-FG02-86ER13609 awarded by the Department of Energy. The Government has certain rights in this invention.

Abstract: An enhancement of approximately 100 of stimulated emission over spontaneous emission of the CVI 182 Angstrom line was obtained in a recombining magnetically confined plasma column. The plasma was formed by focusing a CO.sub.2 laser beam on a carbon disc. A magnetic solenoid produced a strong magnetic field which confined the plasma to the shape of a column. A single thin carbon blade extended parallel to the plasma column and served to make the column axially more uniform and also acted as a heat sink. Axial and transverse measurements of the soft X-ray lasing action were made from locations off-set from the central axis of the plasma column. Multiple carbon blades located at equal intervals around the plasma column were also found to produce acceptable results. According to another embodiment 10 a thin coating of aluminum or magnesium was placed on the carbon disc and blade. The Z of the coating should preferably be at least 5 greater than the Z of the target.

Abstract: Soft X-ray lasing action may be obtained by focusing a high power, picosecond laser pulse on a confined plasma column. The plasma column is created by focusing a CO.sub.2 laser pulse on a target such as carbon. A strong cylindrical magnetic field contains the plasma and causes it to assume the shape of a column. While the plasma column is cooling rapidly due to radiation losses, a second high power laser with a duration time of approximately 1 picosecond is focused along the central part of the plasma column. The powerful picosecond laser provides strong selective excitation of the ions for enhancement population inversion and the creation of high gain for X-ray lasing action. According to alternative embodiments, other multi-Z elements such as molybdenum, aluminum and krypton can be used to create a lasing medium in the plasma column.