Abstract: In a chemonuclear fusion in which hydrogen ions of nuclear stopping power energy of a few keV per nucleon, that is, deuteron or proton beam are implanted into a liquid target of molten metal lithium, the reaction rate is increased by about 1011 times by thermodynamic force in the liquid. For putting chemical nuclear fusion to practical use, there is needed to increase the reaction rate by further increasing the thermodynamic force.

Abstract: A plasma-ring generator is provided where a multitude of capacitors discharge across arc-points arranged ina circular or other configuration to cause a plasma-ring or plasma-structure with a circulating electric current to be formed.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for controlled fusion in a field reversed configuration (FRC) magnetic topology and conversion of fusion product energies directly to electric power. Preferably, plasma ions are magnetically confined in the FRC while plasma electrons are electrostatically confined in a deep energy well, created by tuning an externally applied magnetic field. In this configuration, ions and electrons may have adequate density and temperature so that upon collisions they are fused together by the nuclear force, thus forming fusion products that emerge in the form of an annular beam. Energy is removed from the fusion product ions as they spiral past electrodes of an inverse cyclotron converter. Advantageously, the fusion fuel plasmas that can be used with the present confinement and energy conversion system include advanced (aneutronic) fuels.

Abstract: Described herein are integrated systems for generating neutrons to perform a variety of tasks including: on-line analysis of bulk material and industrial process control (as shown in FIG. 1), security interrogation (as shown in FIG. 2), soil and environmental analysis, and medical diagnostic treatment. These systems are based on novel gas-target neutron generation which embodies the beneficial characteristics of replenishable fusible gas targets for very long lifetime, stability and continuous operation, combined with the advantageous features common to conventional accelerator neutron tubes including: on/off operation, hermetically sealed operation, and safe storage and transport. Innovative electron management techniques provide gas-target neutron production efficiencies that are comparable or surpass existing sources.

Abstract: Ionized boron and protons are used a nuclear reactants in a field-reversed configuration system, and fuse to yield three alpha particles with kinetic energy convertible to useful energy. The boron and proton beams are injected into the reaction chamber in such a manner as to have a relative energy of 0.65 MeV, corresponding to a resonance maximum in the reaction cross-section. The boron beam has energy of 0.412 MeV and the proton beam has energy of 1 MeV. Furthermore, in the device of the invention, the beams tend to circulate in the same direction, thereby avoiding rapid change in the mean velocities of the beams due to ion-ion scattering. The ions remain confined for relatively long periods, enhancing fusion collisions. Both ion beams should not have temperatures greater than 100 keV, because this will detract from the resonance in cross-section.

Abstract: A fusion device consisting of two colliding ion beams, each produced by a high power, femtosecond regime, chirped pulsed amplification (CPA) laser acceleration device. The CPA laser creates an ionized plasma and subsequently accelerates electrons to multi-MeV energies, thus creating electric fields due to separation of electrons and ions, of sufficient magnitude to accelerate the plasma ions to energies ranging from multi-keV to multi-MeV levels. The magnetic fields created by the laser pulses, as well as the electrons and/or ions, also helps confine the ions to the region of the size of the laser beam focal spot diameter, and thus enhance the collision probability of the counter-streaming ions and provide a sizable population of fusion events. Ion beam generation by high powered, short pulse CPA lasers has been previously demonstrated in thin foil targets.

Abstract: A system and method for containing plasma and forming a Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) magnetic topology are described in which plasma ions are contained magnetically in stable, non-adiabatic orbits in the FRC. Further, the electrons are contained electrostatically in a deep energy well, created by tuning an externally applied magnetic field. The simultaneous electrostatic confinement of electrons and magnetic confinement of ions avoids anomalous transport and facilitates classical containment of both electrons and ions. In this configuration, ions and electrons may have adequate density and temperature so that upon collisions they are fused together by nuclear force, thus releasing fusion energy. Moreover, the fusion fuel plasmas that can be used with the present confinement system and method are not limited to neutronic fuels only, but also advantageously include advanced fuels.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for controlled fusion in a field reversed configuration (FRC) magnetic topology and conversion of fusion product energies directly to electric power. Preferably, plasma ions are magnetically confined in the FRC while plasma electrons are electrostatically confined in a deep energy well, created by tuning an externally applied magnetic field. In this configuration, ions and electrons may have adequate density and temperature so that upon collisions they are fused together by the nuclear force, thus forming fusion products that emerge in the form of an annular beam. Energy is removed from the fusion product ions as they spiral past electrodes of an inverse cyclotron converter. Advantageously, the fusion fuel plasmas that can be used with the present confinement and energy conversion system include advanced (aneutronic) fuels.

Abstract: Generations of Physicists have attempted to build Thermonuclear Fusion Reactors in hope of harnessing the power of the ubiquities Hydrogen and Hydrogen to Helium Reaction. The failure, I believe, involves overcomplicated design structures such as plasma, needing total electromagnetic confinement! Being an educated physicist myself from the University of California at Riverside and with all due respect to scientists, as Einstein once said, “Keep it simple stupid,” is a guiding phenomenon in all of physics. Thus, I have chosen my design as a very practical Rotating Centrifugal-Laser Nuclear Fusion Reactor, a design without plasma and involve using a high-speed centrifugal-laser Hydrogen containment fusion reactor.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for controlled fusion in a field reversed configuration (FRC) magnetic topology and conversion of fusion product energies directly to electric power. Preferably, plasma ions are magnetically confined in the FRC while plasma electrons are electrostatically confined in a deep energy well, created by tuning an externally applied magnetic field. In this configuration, ions and electrons may have adequate density and temperature so that upon collisions they are fused together by the nuclear force, thus forming fusion products that emerge in the form of an annular beam. Energy is removed from the fusion product ions as they spiral past electrodes of an inverse cyclotron converter. Advantageously, the fusion fuel plasmas that can be used with the present confinement and energy conversion system include advanced (aneutronic) fuels.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for containing plasma are described in which plasma ions are contained magnetically in stable, non-adiabatic orbits in a Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) magnetic topology. Further, the electrons are contained electrostatically in a deep energy well, created by tuning an externally applied magnetic field. The simultaneous electrostatic confinement of electrons and magnetic confinement of ions avoids anomalous transport and facilitates classical containment of both electrons and ions. In this configuration, ions and electrons may have adequate density and temperature so that upon collisions they are fused together by the nuclear force, thus releasing fusion energy. Moreover, the fusion fuel plasmas that can be used with the present confinement system and method are not limited to neutronic fuels only, but also advantageously include advanced fuels.

Abstract: The subject invention is a nuclear fusion reactor. It operates by colliding particle beams from at least four different directions. The beams collide in a matrix that guides the particles to the reaction's center by their mutual electrostatic repulsion. In the preferred embodiment the reactor comprises primarily four high energy particle accelerators (11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d). At the reactor's center, the accelerators' four beams intersect at angles of approximately 109.471220634491 degrees. The exact measure of the preferred angle is given by the measure of the obtuse interior angle of an isosceles triangle that has two sides measuring the square root of three units and a base measuring twice the square root of two units. Accelerated to fusion producing velocities, the four particle beams intersect in a high-vacuum reaction chamber (12). The resulting collision matrix funnels the accelerated particles into the center of the reaction zone causing some of the fuel particles to fuse rather than to scatter.

Abstract: An electrostatic containment fusion generator is comprised of a generally spherical capacitor having an outer plate at ground and a negatively charged inner plate. A reaction chamber, comprised of two pairs of spaced apart permanent magnets, is disposed within the inner plate. An ion source means provides a deuteron beam to enter into a figure-8 orbit between the two pairs of magnets. A Faraday cage exists between the two pairs which neutralizes space charge in the center region of the beam. An arced cut portion on each magnet assists in the beam's entry into the Faraday cage, while a path correction means corrects the effects of the inverse field created by the cut portion. Dual beam establishment means are also provided.

Abstract: An ion ring accelerator employs a pulsed magnetic field to accelerate a charge neutralized ion ring. The accelerator includes a plurality of accelerator modules arranged either in a linear or a recirculating manner, each of which cause an incremental acceleration of the ion ring. As the ion ring enters one of the accelerator modules, a pulse is applied to a coil or resonant cavity in the module which increases in magnitude and synchronism with the passage of the ion ring. As a result, the ion ring is exposed to an increasing magnetic field in the module which compresses the ring, thereby adiabatically increasing its energy. As the ion ring exits the module and is no longer exposed to the increase in magnetic field, it expands, thereby releasing energy and accelerating in an axial direction. The repetition rate of the high current ion ring accelerator will be determined by the power supplies for the modules.

Abstract: An electric generator using imploding plasma dynamics for generating electric energy from fuel energy, which includes a substantially cylindrical vortex chamber bounded by a cylindrical chamber wall having an axis, an inward curved fuel inlet end wall, and an opposite inward curved exhaust end wall; a shroud surrounding the vortex chamber forming an air space between the chamber wall and the shroud; at least one air inlet entering the air space at an angle tangential to the air space; air compressor means fluidly communicating with the air inlet for injecting air into the air space; fuel-air mixture injection means disposed in the fuel inlet end wall; a mixing chamber in the fuel-air mixture injection means for mixing fuel with the air fluidly communicatng with the air space; a plasma expansion cone having an inlet fluidly communicating with the mixing chamber for receiving fuel-air mixture from the mixing chamber; ignition means in the plasma expansion cone for igniting the fuel-air mixture, and forming at l

Abstract: An approach (10) is provided as a way of obtaining useful power from a fusion reaction utilizing light weight isotopes of hydrogen and helium. A potential well is created between two accelerating electrodes (26) that, in a vacuum, allows ions from sources (24) to be captured by the potential well. An axial magnetic field as created by solenoid (20) causes the captured ions to pass through an ion focusing region (22) and thus allowing fusion reactions to take place within the region. The magnetic field also confines the trajectory of the fusion products (18) to a series of helixes preventing them from reaching the solenoid walls, but instead forces them to exit the two ends of the solenoid. Useful power is obtained by allowing two heat exchangers to intercept the fusion ions and thereby allowing a coolant liquid to be heated as would be required to operate a steam turbogenerator.

Abstract: Fusion reactor (36) based on the cusped geometry concept in which the problem of indefinite tight plasma containment with inherent stability and high compression of the contained plasma in the reaction zone (19) is solved by an electric potential pot (22) surrounding the reaction zone and having an ion source (37) at the upper potential pot edge (38).

Abstract: An apparatus and method of enhancing nuclear fusion reactions utilizes a plasma, made up of ions and electrons, contained within a region, and enhances the density of the plasma using a collision-diffusion compressional enhancement process. Ion acoustic waves generated within a central region of the system permit increased reflection and scattering of ions and thereby reduces their mean free path within the core region to permit greatly increased ions density sufficient to enhance nuclear fusion reactions within the core.

Abstract: This invention relates to adaptation of intersecting storage rings, of the same type used in high energy nuclear physics research, for power generation. The device is optimized for lower-energy beam paricles and higher beam current, adapted with a reaction chamber at the intersection of the rings to collect released fusion energy for conversion to electricity, and equipped with means to recapture scattered accelerated particles and reintegrate them into the focused beams for recirculation through the reaction chamber. The preferred beam particles, deuterium and tritium, are accelerated and injected into and focused by the storage rings, to collide nearly head on in the reaction chamber. Non-colliding, accelerated beam particles are conserved by recovery, correction and recirculation, requiring relatively small amounts of input energy to maintain acceleration and focus of the beams, and thus remain energized for another collision attempt.

Abstract: A muon detector system including central and end air-core superconducting toroids and muon detectors enclosing a central calorimeter/detector. Muon detectors are positioned outside of toroids and all muon trajectory measurements are made in a nonmagnetic environment. Internal support for each magnet structure is provided by sheets, located at frequent and regularly spaced azimuthal planes, which interconnect the structural walls of the toroidal magnets. In a preferred embodiment, the shape of the toroidal magnet volume is adjusted to provide constant resolution over a wide range of rapidity.

Abstract: The method of producing specific cluster ions utilizing an ionization source to produce ions which are then sorted or resolved according to velocity and mass. The selected ions are passed through a growth chamber containing a gaseous vapor of a specified element and are coated by the vapor to provide coated cluster ions. The coated cluster ions are mass selected and held in an ion trap.

Abstract: An apparatus for increasing the collisions of nuclear particles in a "migma" type device. This device employs ring magnets to reflect ions of energies coming from the ring axis back to the ring axis on orbits that precess around the axis. In this manner collisions can be made to occur at rates which are high enough to yield useful quantities of energy or other desired products.

Abstract: A device which delivers high velocity projectiles to specified or targeted sites. Said device operates to bore at extreme speeds a channel leading to specified sites and then to subsequently place explosive charges substantially below the surface of a region adjacent to or surrounding said targets. High velocity projectiles are fired in rapid succession with shaped explosive charges ranging from conventional plastic explosives to nuclear or thermonuclear devices detonating either upon impact or some distance below the point of impact. The multiple stage launch mode of the aforesaid device consists of three separate and distinct phases or stages, and/or multiples of said stages. Electropropulsive elements embodied within the devices consist of an automated plasma injection means, a primary arcing source, Tesla discharging means and propagating rails, magnetic induction elements and ancillary systems.

Abstract: A fusion device provides for the reaction of atomic nuclei, preferably deuterons and tritons, to generate reaction products with kinetic energies convertible to useful energy. First and second sources of first and second positive ions provide such ions at temperatures in a range where the ions have a substantially optimum cross section for mutual reaction. The respective ions are accelerated to substantially the same mean velocity and formed into respective beams. The beams are neutralized and directed into a portion of a reaction chamber substantially orthogonally of a substantially constant unidirectional magnetic field as first and second polarized beams of respective first and second positive hot ions. The polarization of the first and second polarized beams is drained, preferably by a plasma created in the portion of the reaction chamber, to separate the neutralizing electrons from the respective first and second positive hot ions.

Abstract: A method of producing fusion reactions comprises the steps of bringing deuterium ions from an ion source to run in a substantially closed path for accumulation of the ions to a predetermined density, whereupon the ions are deflected towards a reaction center inside this closed path. An apparatus for a fusion reactor includes two annular, coaxially disposed magnets (12,20) which are disposed to produce magnetic fields in a vacuum tank. The inner magnet (20) produces a homogenous field transversely to the plane in which deuterium ions are intended to circulate prior to reaction, and the outer magnet (12,14) produces an inhomogenous field which decreases outwardly in radial direction and is also directed transversely to said plane. Electrodes (16,18) are provided to produce a radial electric field in the area having said inhomogenous magnetic field, which electric field is directed transversely to this inhomogenous field.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling charged particles. The charged particles comprise electrons and positive ions. A magnetic field having only point cusps is used to confine injected electrons and so to generate a negative potential well. Positive ions injected into the negative potential well are trapped therein. The preferred means for generating the magnetic field is current-carrying elements arranged at positions corresponding to the edges of any of several truncated regular polyhedrons.

Abstract: A self-colliding particle beam apparatus is capable of increasing stored ion density by a factor 10 and increasing ion confinement time by a factor of 10 to thereby increase the collisional energy between particles. The self-collider comprises essentially a superconducting magnet, an ultra-high vacuum system and an electrostatic stabilizer. The self-collider apparatus can be employed as part of a beam energy multiplier by combining it with an injector, including an ion source, an accelerator and a beam transport system. By increasing the stored ion density by a factor of 10 and by increasing the ion confinement time by a factor of 10, the increase in collisional probability between two particles increases by a factor of 1,000; this is due to the fact that the number of collisions is proportional to (density).sup.2 .times.(confinement time) and therefore 10.sup.2 .times.10 equals 1,000.

Abstract: The magnetomotive force of a current produces a magnetic field in magnetic material which encircles the current. Although magnetic material attracts a current, material having vanes repels the current because of magnetic flux lines produced between the vanes. The magnetic material is symmetrically arranged, and consists of pairs of radial, magnetic vanes connected by a magnetic member encircling the current. The magnetic member has a uniformly-distributed coil whose ampere-turns oppose the magnetomotive force of the current. The number of magnetic members is n. The angular spacing of the vanes equals 180/n. The coil ampere-turns equals l(n-1)/n, where l is the current. The guiding of the current occurs for one-half of the area of the plane on which the magnetic material is located. To obtain guiding for the other half, a second plane has magnetic material similar to that on the original plane, but rotated by the angle 180/n.

Abstract: An IREB is guided through a curved path by ionizing a channel in a gas with electrons from a filament, and confining the electrons to the center of the path with a magnetic field extending along the path. The magnetic field is preferably generated by a solenoid extending along the path.

Abstract: The present invention is a nuclear fusion reactor serving to contain a totally organized tritium-deuterium plasma by guiding the self-bombarding particles in a resonating path of a particular wavelength and frequency, similar to a radio wave. Under these conditions the electrons tend to remain cooler, which reduces plasma radiation energy losses. Energy may be added to the plasma by axially distributed oscillators of the proper frequency, raising the plasma to ignition temperature and densities. Finally the ignited plasma directs its high energy neutrons into strategically located lithium blankets and the ionic energy levels are controlled by causing the plasma to generate an alternating electric current. Various types of alternate fusion reactions are briefly considered.

Abstract: An applied-B field extraction ion diode has uniform insulation over an anode surface for increased efficiency. When the uniform insulation is accomplished with anode coils, and a charge-exchange foil is properly placed, the ions may be focused at a point on the z axis.

Abstract: A container device for a fusion plasma which has a beam of charged particles accelerating system feeding an ion or plasma beam into a polytron magnetic device. The polytron is formed from a succession of magnetic cusps joined point to point around a torus. The accelerating system introduces an ion or plasma beam into the polytron through a magnetic junction. A second accelerating system may introduce a second beam of different velocity creating an instability and turbulent mixing of the two beams, which are favorable for a fusion reaction.

Abstract: Two ion beams are accelerated on coincident paths in high vacuum with particle velocity vectors at 180.degree. relative to one another to increase collison and fusion probabilities. The ion beams may be of the same or of different polarities and may both be the same isotope, or may be respectively of deuterium and tritium. A heat exchange fluid such as liquid lithium is in heat exchange contact with the vacuum chamber to remove energy generated by fusion reactions between colliding and fusing particles of the two beams. The velocity vectors of the beams are controlled over a narrow range in both magnitude and direction so that there is sufficient energy to encourage the fusion reaction but not so high as to cause the particles to have elastic collisions. The intersecting or coincident beams may move linearly toward one another or may move in identical circular paths having the identical geometry or paths which intersect at at least one point.

Abstract: This is one of a series of nuclear fusion (vs. fission) inventions by this physicist-inventor. This invention is designed to burn the cleanest of all known fusion fuels: boron hydride (B-H, or p-.sup.11 B). Boron hydride has no free neutrons on either side of its reaction equation: p+.sup.11 B=3.alpha.+W. If this fuel can be made to fuse as planned the many problems associated with neutron-based fuels, deuterium-tritium (D-T) in particular, can be obviated. D-T gives off 80% of its energy in the form of neutrons. These make the apparatus radioactive; and the neutrons may be used to breed weapons grade fission material. Whereas, p-.sup.11 B cannot be used to make fission bomb material; its product particles are entirely safe inert helium particles. B-H fuel is abundant, available and inexpensive. Boron hydride comes in gas, liquid or solid form, stable or unstable. The invention at hand proposes to accelerate macromolecular ions of boron hydride (such as B.sub.2 H.sub.

Abstract: A polarized internal target apparatus with a polarized gas target of improved polarization and density achieved by mixing target gas atoms with a small amount of alkali metal gas atoms, and passing a high intensity polarized light source into the mixture to cause the alkali metal gas atoms to become polarized which interact in spin exchange collisions with target gas atoms yielding polarized target gas atoms.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for maintaining steady state compact toroidal plasmas. A compact toroidal plasma is formed by a magnetized coaxial plasma gun and held in close proximity to the gun electrodes by applied magnetic fields or magnetic fields produced by image currents in conducting walls. Voltage supply means maintains a constant potential across the electrodes producing an increasing magnetic helicity which drives the plasma away from a minimum energy state. The plasma globally relaxes to a new minimum energy state, conserving helicity according to Taylor's relaxation hypothesis, and injecting net helicity into the core of the compact toroidal plasma. Controlling the voltage so as to inject net helicity at a predetermined rate based on dissipative processes maintains or increases the compact toroidal plasma in a time averaged steady state mode.

Abstract: In a fusion reaction system where ions from two sources travel along helical paths toward each other in opposite senses and directions at a common radius in a cylindrical reaction zone, electrically conductive coil means are formed as a helix and placed in the zone whereby coupling of spontaneous space charge waves and helical coils is damped.

Abstract: A fusion reaction system wherein a compressed spiral beam of electrons forms a cylindrical electron sheath and wherein oppositely directed cylindrical beams of fusible ions are projected through said electron sheath and are forced into a common thin cylindrical path located where the potential gradient in electron sheath is minimum.

Abstract: A plasma confining device is provided with a deflection magnetic field device which sets magnetic flux perpendicularly to a central plane of sheet-shaped charged particle flow formed by charged particles which have escaped from a plasma confined by a cusp magnetic field or a mirror magnetic field through the line cusp or linear open end thereof, an edge of the deflection magnetic field being perpendicular to the direction of motion of the sheet-shaped charged particle flow, so that each charged particle, composing the sheet-shaped charged particle flow, is changed in its direction of motion reversely and forced to reenter into the plasma without remarkable loss.

Abstract: This invention relates to the control of ions orbiting in a cylindrical reaction space and more particularly to attenuation of instabilities in two counterflow streams of ions to focus the ions of both streams into a predetermined orbital reaction zone.

Abstract: Atomic nuclei undergo fusion reactions by forming two beams of fusible ions traveling at fusion producing velocities opposed in rotation along spiral paths having common axes (35a), common radii and occupy common space in a reaction zone (22) for fusion producing collisions of ions in one beam with ions in the other beam.Means including sources (16 and 17) produce the oppositely traveling circumferential beams.Radially directed electric fields are applied to the beams of strength increasing with increasing distance from sources (16 and 17) for beam compression into spiral paths of a common reduced diameter passing through common space in zone (22) to promote collisions between ions in the oppositely traveling beams as they travel in the common space.

Abstract: Atomic nuclei undergo fusion reactions by forming two beams of fusible ions traveling at fusion producing velocities opposed in rotation along spiral paths having common axes (35a), common radii and occupy common space in a reaction zone (22) for fusion producing collisions of ions in one beam with ions in the other beam.Means including sources (16 and 17) produce the oppositely traveling circumferential beams.Radially directed electric fields are applied to the beams of strength increasing with increasing distance from sources (16 and 17) for beam compression into spiral paths of a common reduced diameter passing through common space in zone (22) to promote collisions between ions in the oppositely traveling beams as they travel in the common space.

Abstract: A nuclear fusion system is disclosed wherein a pair of beams are to traverse common helical paths in a reaction zone. Two sources of oppositely directed gaseous ions are provided for producing the beams with means for establishing helical flow of ions in common paths whose spins are aligned in both beams.

Abstract: A thermonuclear fusion reactor assembly consisting of a plurality of TRISOPS theta pinch units arranged in a parallel configuration inside a common magnetic guide field and provided with a common surrounding FLIBE or other suitable molten metal blanket. The primary magnetic guide field is generated by a superconducting magnet assembly surrounding the container in which the bundle of fusion sticks is mounted. A gas distributing valve mechanism is employed to independently and selectively supply gas and purge same in the respective fusion stick units, and an electrical switching mechanism is employed to similarly independently and selectively energize the fusion stick units in a desired timing pattern.

Abstract: The use of a coaxial plasma gun to produce a plasma ring which is directed into a magnetic field so as to form a field-reversed plasma confined in a magnetic mirror. Plasma thus produced may be used as a target for subsequent neutral beam injection or other similarly produced and projected plasma rings or for direct fusion energy release in a pulsed mode.

Abstract: A method of controlling the reaction rates of the fuel atoms in a fusion reactor comprises the step of polarizing the nuclei of the fuel atoms in a particular direction relative to the plasma confining magnetic field. Fusion reaction rates can be increased or decreased, and the direction of emission of the reaction products can be controlled, depending on the choice of polarization direction.

Abstract: Method for producing fusion power wherein a neutral beam is injected into a toroidal bulk plasma to produce fusion reactions during the time permitted by the slowing down of the particles from the injected beam in the bulk plasma.