Solenoidal fusion system

Patent · Tue Dec 23 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:6612980

Linlor, W I

This invention discloses apparatus and methods to produce nuclear fusion utilizing fusible material in the form of high energy ion beams confined in magnetic fields. For example, beams of deuterons and tritons are injected in the same direction relative to the axis of a vacuum chamber. The ion beams are confined by the magnetic fields of long solenoids. The products of the fusion reactions, such as neutrons and alpha particles, escape to the wall surrounding the vacuum chamber, producing heat. The momentum of the deuterons is approximately equal to the momentum of the tritons, so that both types of ions follow the same path in the confining magnetic field. The velocity of the deuteron is sufficiently greater than the velocity of the triton so that overtaking collisions occur at a relative velocity which produces a high fusion reaction cross section. Electrons for space charge neutralization are obtained by ionization of residual gas in the vacuum chamber, and additionally from solid material (Irradiated with ultra-violet light or other energetic radiation) adjacent to the confinement region. For start-up operation, injected high-energy molecular ions can be dissociated by intense laser beam, producing trapping via change of charge state. When sufficiently intense deuteron and triton beams have been produced, the laser beam can be removed, and subsequent change of charge state can be achieved by collisions (Circulating and injected beams).

• Assignee: IFI; EDB-81-060171
• Patent Number(s): US 4240873
• OSTI ID: 6612980
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700200* -- Fusion Energy-- Fusion Power Plant Technology
BEAMS
CONFINEMENT
DEUTERON BEAMS
ELECTRIC COILS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
EQUIPMENT
FERMIONS
ION BEAMS
LASERS
LEPTONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
PLASMA CONFINEMENT
PLASMA PRODUCTION
SOLENOIDS
SPECIFICATIONS
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
THERMONUCLEAR IGNITION
TRITON BEAMS
VACUUM SYSTEMS