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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO THERMONUCLEAR APPARATUS

Patent ·
OSTI ID:4129842

A thermonuclear reactor for inducing fusion reactions of hydrogen isotopes and removing the heat for use is designed in which a high magnetic field on the order of 10/sup 5/ gauss is produced parallel to the axis of an evacuated chamber, electrons are projected into the chamber axially, and an ionized D or T gas is projected into the chamber laterally, producing fusion. The heat is then removed by ducts in the electromagnet carrying liquid metal or gas coolant. In operation. short pulses of 1 to 10 msec are applied to the electron cathode ( approximately -1 kv) and to the ion source (10 to 500 kv), inducing ion currents of the order of 1 amp/cm/sup 3/ in the chamber, where the ion density builds up to 10/sup 16/ to 10/sup 17/ cm/sup 3/. Fusion occurs, either due to the individual energy of the ions or to the high effective temperature (10/sup 8/ deg K for 10 kv ions). At the end of the pulse. reaction products and gas are swept away by a vacuum pump. (D.L.C.)

Research Organization:
Originating Research Org. not identified
NSA Number:
NSA-14-026382
OSTI ID:
4129842
Report Number(s):
GB 838443
Country of Publication:
United Kingdom
Language:
English