Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for increasing energy output from Z-pinch and other plasma confinement systems. In one example, a system may include memory storing instructions that, if executed by one or more processors, cause the system to adjust one or more parameters to generate a magnetic field which is sufficiently strong to axially compress a fuel gas to induce thermonuclear fusion and increase a fusion energy gain factor greater than a fusion energy gain factor limit attainable by the thermonuclear fusion. In certain examples, adjusting the one or more parameters may include adjusting a duty cycle of a discharge current applied to the fuel gas based, at least in part, on an amount of thermal collisions between fusion byproducts and the fuel gas. In certain examples, by adjusting the duty cycle, the magnetic field may be adjusted to induce or increase the thermal collisions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inertial electrostatic confinement fusion apparatus for electron injection neutralization, which includes a cathode spherical net, an anode, a cathode high-voltage introduction supporting rod, an electron gun for high-energy electron injection, a vacuum system and a high-voltage power supply system. Neutralizing electrons are injected by the electron gun for the high-energy electron injection and an inner electron gun for electron injection in the spherical net into the spherical net and between the spherical net and the anode of the inertial electrostatic confinement fusion apparatus, thereby reducing or eliminating a space charge force generated by deuterium ions, and increasing the deuterium ion density in the spherical net, so that neutron yield and a profit-loss ratio can be increased.

Abstract: A controlled fusion process is provided that can produce a sustained series of fusion reactions: a process that (i) uses a substantially higher reactant density of the deuterium and tritium gases by converging cationic reactants into the higher reaction density at a target cathode rather than relying on random collisions, the converging producing a substantially higher rate of fusion and energy production; (ii) uses a substantially lower input of energy to initiate the fusion; (iii) can be cycled at a substantially higher cycle frequency; (iv) has a practical heat exchange method; (v) is substantially less costly to manufacture, operate, and maintain; and, (vi) has a substantially improved reaction efficiency as a result of not mixing reactants with products.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a neutron capture therapy system. The neutron capture therapy system includes an accelerator, the accelerator generates a charged particle beam; a neutron generator, the neutron generator generates a neutron beam after being irradiated by the charged particle beam; a beam shaping assembly, the beam shaping assembly includes a moderator and a reflector surrounds around the outer periphery of the moderator, the moderator moderates the neutrons generated by the neutron generator to a preset spectrum, and the reflector leads the deflected neutrons back to increase the neutron intensity within the preset spectrum; and a collimator, the collimator concentrates the neutrons generated by the neutron generator; the spectrum of the neutron beam is changed by changing the spectrum of the charged particle beam.

Abstract: A method of imploding an Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) target may include directing laser energy into a hohlraum, where a target is disposed within the hohlraum that includes an ablator layer, a shell disposed within the ablator layer, and a fuel region disposed within the shell. The method may also include ablating the ablator layer in response to the laser energy being directed into the hohlraum, and generating a single shockwave that is driven inward through the ablator layer. The method may further include impulsively accelerating the shell inward when hit by the single shockwave, and compressing the fuel region by the inward acceleration of the shell.

Abstract: A fluid-driven power generating apparatus is a power generator in form pipes with either water wheels or balls with circumferential indents rotating therewithin. The water wheels or the balls are rotated by the fluid flow within the pipes. Each of the water wheels or each the balls has a wheel axle or a ball wheel axle which is encircled by a metal coil. Each metal coil is rotated by the fluid flow within a magnetic field produced by the electromagnetic layer attached to each of the pipes. Through the rotations of the metal coil within the magnetic field, electricity is thus created and stored in an energy storage device. Another variation of the present invention is a closed-system fluid-driven power generating apparatus with mercury as the driving fluid. The present invention can be incorporated into plumbing, dip, sprinkler systems as well as watercrafts such as ships, submarines, jet skis, etc.

Abstract: A coating system includes a work piece, a coating delivery apparatus configured to apply a coating material to the work piece in a plasma-based vapor stream, and a first electron gun configured to direct a first electron beam at the plasma-based vapor stream for adding thermal energy to the coating material in the plasma-based vapor stream.

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 system for extracting energy from inertial confinement fusion reactions, which includes a central target chamber for receiving fusion target material. A plurality of energy drivers are arranged around the target chamber so as to supply energy to fusion target material in the chamber to initiate an inertial confinement fusion reaction of the material, releasing energy in the forms of fusion plasma and heat. A plurality of structures for extracting energy from the fusion reaction are provided, and comprise devices to extract high voltage DC energy from the fusion plasma, and means to extract thermal energy from the central target chamber. Power to the energy drivers may be supplied from high voltage DC energy extracted from the fusion reactions. The energy drivers may use an apodizing filter to impart a desired shape to the wavefront of the driving energy for causing the fusion reactions, to avoid hydrodynamic instabilities.

Abstract: An accelerator pack, specifically for linear accelerator modules cascade-connected to a proton-emitting cyclotron, specially adapted for use in cancer therapies. Such a technique is named PT. The pack displays an accelerating cavity of improved efficiency in virtue of its shape, which provides for making a portion of accelerating cavity on both faces of the pack. Furthermore, the pack also contains a coupling cavity portion. In such a manner, the volume of the accelerating cavity is increased as compared to that of the packs of the known accelerator modules.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for achromatically bending beam of charged particles by about 90° during radiation treatment. A system may include first, second, third, and fourth bending magnets serially arranged along the particle beam path. The first and fourth bending magnets are configured to generate a positive field gradient that defocuses the particle beam in the bend plane. The second and third bending magnets are configured to generate a negative field gradient that focuses the particle beam in the bend plane. The first, second, third, and fourth bending magnets collectively bend the particle beam by about 90°, e.g., by about 22.5° each.

Abstract: A magnetohydrodynamic simulator that includes a plasma container. The magnetohydrodynamic simulator also includes an first ionizable gas substantially contained within the plasma container. In addition, the magnetohydrodynamic simulator also includes a first loop positioned adjacent to the plasma container, wherein the first loop includes a gap, a first electrical connection on a first side of the gap, a second electrical connection of a second side of the gap, and a first material having at least one of low magnetic susceptibility and high conductivity. The first loop can be made up from an assembly of one or a plethora or wire loop coils. In such cases, electrical connection is made through the ends of the coil wires. The magnetohydrodynamic simulator further includes an electrically conductive first coil wound about the plasma container and through the first loop.

Abstract: A magnetohydrodynamic simulator that includes a plasma container. The magnetohydrodynamic simulator also includes an first ionizable gas substantially contained within the plasma container. In addition, the magnetohydrodynamic simulator also includes a first loop positioned adjacent to the plasma container, wherein the first loop includes a gap, a first electrical connection on a first side of the gap, a second electrical connection of a second side of the gap, and a first material having at least one of low magnetic susceptibility and high conductivity. The first loop can be made up from an assembly of one or a plethora or wire loop coils. In such cases, electrical connection is made through the ends of the coil wires. The magnetohydrodynamic simulator further includes an electrically conductive first coil wound about the plasma container and through the first loop.

Abstract: A fusible target is embedded in a high Z liner, ohmically heated and then shock wave heated by implosion of an enveloping high Z liner. The target is adiabatically heated by compression, fusibly ignited and charged-particle heated as it is being ignited. A shock front forms as the liner implodes which shock front detaches from the more slowly moving liner, collides with the outer surface of the target, accelerates inward, rapidly heating the target, adiabatically compressing the target and liner and amplifying the current to converge the liner mass toward a central axis thereby compressing the target to a fusion condition when it begins to ignite and produce charged particles. The charged particles are trapped in a large magnetic field surrounding the target. The energy of the charged particles is deposited into the target to further heat the target to produce an energy gain.

Abstract: A spherical neutron generator is formed with a small spherical target and a spherical shell RF-driven plasma ion source surrounding the target. A deuterium (or deuterium and tritium) ion plasma is produced by RF excitation in the plasma ion source using an RF antenna. The plasma generation region is a spherical shell between an outer chamber and an inner extraction electrode. A spherical neutron generating target is at the center of the chamber and is biased negatively with respect to the extraction electrode which contains many holes. Ions passing through the holes in the extraction electrode are focused onto the target which produces neutrons by D-D or D-T reactions.

Abstract: A system for generating electromagnetic radiation comprising a flux generator for generating a high intensity current and conversion means in the form of a reflex triode or a plasma focus device for converting said current into a high energy radiation beam.

Abstract: A method of producing an isotope comprising directing electrons at a converting material coated with a coating material, the coating material having an atomic number of n, whereby interaction of the electrons with the converting material produces photons, and whereby the photons produced interact with the coating material to produce an isotope having an atomic number of n−1. In preferred embodiments, the converting material is Tungsten, the coating material having an atomic number of n is Radium-226, and the isotope having an atomic number of n−1 is Radium-225.

Abstract: Flow of mercury from a liquid-heavy-metal inflow port toward an inner forward end of a container body is rectified by a plurality of incoming-passage guide vanes in a liquid-heavy-metal incoming passage. Flow of the mercury from the forward end of the container body toward a liquid-heavy-metal outflow port is rectified by a plurality of return-passage guide vanes in a liquid-heavy-metal return passage. As a result, occurrence of stagnation and/or recirculation flows of the mercury in the container body is suppressed and a steady and highly uniform stream of the mercury is formed throughout in the container body. The container body is covered with a container outer shell to prevent any leakage of the mercury to outside due to a damage of the container body.

Abstract: An integrated Marx generator circuit is constructed in one assembly from a housing with two oil-filled cavities. First and second capacitors each include two sets of spaced apart capacitor plates. The first and second capacitors are formed in the separate cavities. The space between the capacitor plates are filled with oil and insulating material. A set of four spark gap switches control the charging and discharging of the generator circuit.

Abstract: A Marx high voltage generator with a fast rise time. Photoconductive semiconductor switches are sequentially triggered by a single laser via fiber optic bundles of different lengths. The switches serve to series connect a group of charged capacitors. Output is taken from the last capacitor which receives the voltage accumulated on all of the previous capacitors. Proper timing of the activation of each switch produces a fast rise time.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for producing and sustaining a very intense pinch effect in a ralativistic electron beam by applying a continually accelerating strong electric field along the entire length of the beam. A special anode collects electrons that stray from the beam and conducts them along a conducting wall of the anode. The potential drop due to the flow of these electrons in the anode wall produces a strong electric field along the beam. The clusters of heavy ions in the beam impact a target made of lead, for example, and produces various varieties of sub-nuclear products including mesons, neutrons, neutrinos, and hadrons. Electrons liberated from atoms appear adjacent the cathode along with ions also resulting from the liberation. These electrons are accelerated toward the target leaving behind the positive ions which produce a positive potential trough.

Abstract: An intense high current, high voltage pulsed beam comprising bursts of electrons of about 40 nanoseconds duration each, having a beam radius of about 1 mm is projected through an anode consisting of a hollow tube with much smaller diameter than that of the diode tube surrounding the cathode. By appropriate selection of combinations of materials, sizes, shapes, and surface treatments surrounding the beam in its travel through the anode, or by means such as ion beams directed back along the beam, or by laser pulses on selected areas inside the anode or on the cathode tip, or by controlling supply of appropriate gases or vapors through a small diameter tubular cathode, either metallic or dielectric, and separately into the tubular anode near the end farthest from the cathode and nearer the target, the beam is made to pinch down to a radius of about 0.

Abstract: A nuclear fusion process for igniting a nuclear fusion pellet in a manner similar to that proposed for laser beams uses, an array of pulsed high energy combined particle beams focused to bombard the pellet for isentropically compressing it to a Fermi-degenerate state by thermal blow-off and balanced beam momentum transfer. Each combined particle beam is arranged to produce electric charge neutrality in a volume around the target so that space charge induced expansion is avoided. Each high energy combined beam is produced by merging in neutralizing proportion a convergently focused stream of positive particles and at least one convergently focused stream of negative particles to form an electrically neutralized combined beam having a deBroglie wavelength focal pattern at the region of pellet collision. The momentum and fusible mass of the particle beams reduce the ablation loss and result in a larger fraction of the pellet being available for fusion reaction.

Abstract: A triggering device and method for producing nuclear fusion reactions and having two or more intense pulses of high energy electrons derived from a single source and delivered to a target along separate paths but arriving at substantially the same time. The electron beams are produced in the electrode space of an electron accelerator which utilizes a cathode for producing multiple electron beams. Each electron beam is injected into a separate conventional linear pinch discharge. The high energy electron beams follow the pinch discharge and are delivered to the target. The pinch discharge tubes are curved so that each electron beam approaches the target from a different direction for irradiating the target symmetrically. Return conductors strategically located on the outer surface of each pinch discharge tube maintains the curved discharge within the center of the tube and sustains the pinch.

Abstract: An intense high current, high voltage pulsed beam comprising bursts of electrons of less than 200 nanoseconds duration each, having a beam radius of about 0.5 mm. is projected through an anode consisting of a hollow tube with much smaller diameter than that of the diode tube surrounding the cathode and with diameter diminishing with deeper penetration into the tubular anode. By appropriate selections of combinations of materials, sizes, shapes, and surface treatments surrounding the beam in its travel through the anode, or by means such as ion beams directed back along the beam, or by laser pulses on selected spots inside the anode or on the cathode tip, or by controlled supply of appropriate gases or vapors through a small diameter tubular cathode, either metallic or dielectric, and separately into the tubular anode near the end farthest from the cathode and nearer the target, the beam is made to pinch down to a radius of 0.1 mm.

Abstract: Hybrid-drive implosion systems (20,40) for ICF targets (10,22,42) are described which permit a significant increase in target gain at fixed total driver energy. The ICF target is compressed in two phases, an initial compression phase and a final peak power phase, with each phase driven by a separate, optimized driver. The targets comprise a hollow spherical ablator (12) surroundingly disposed around fusion fuel (14). The ablator is first compressed to higher density by a laser system (24), or by an ion beam system (44), that in each case is optimized for this initial phase of compression of the target. Then, following compression of the ablator, energy is directly delivered into the compressed ablator by an ion beam driver system (30,48) that is optimized for this second phase of operation of the target. The fusion fuel (14) is driven, at high gain, to conditions wherein fusion reactions occur.