Abstract: The process for containing a deuterium gas plasma discharge includes providing a cylindrical zone having a cylinder axis; supplying D.sub.

Abstract: The present invention identifies several configurations of conducting elements capable of supporting extremely high magnetic fields suitable for plasma confinement, wherein forces experienced by the conducting elements are significantly reduced over those which are present as a result of the generation of such high fields by conventional techniques. It is anticipated that the use of superconducting materials will both permit the attainment of such high fields and further permit such fields to be generated with vastly improved efficiency.

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: 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: The invention pertains to the method and apparatus for the confining of a stream of fusible positive ions at values of density and high average kinetic energy, primarily of tightly looping motions, to produce nuclear fusion at a useful rate; more or less intimately mixed with the fusible ions will be lower-energy electrons at about equal density, introduced solely for the purpose of neutralizing the positive space charge of the ions. Ions under high kinetic energy are introduced into an annular reaction chamber having a primarily axial strong magnetic field and an essentially radial electric field and assume in the chamber a quasi-trochoidal motion in which the kinetic energies in their small diameter looping components of motion are greater by at least an order of magnitude, than the kinetic energies in the relatively slow crossed field advance motions with which the ions circulate circumferentially around the axis of the annular reaction chamber.