Radio frequency sustained ion energy

Patent · Tue Nov 08 00:00:00 EST 1977

OSTI ID:6662262

Jassby, D L; Hooke, W M

Electromagnetic (E.M.) energy injection method and apparatus for producing and sustaining suprathermal ordered ions in a neutral, two-ion-species, toroidal, bulk equilibrium plasma are described. More particularly, the ions are produced and sustained in an ordered suprathermal state of existence above the average energy and velocity of the bulk equilibrium plasma by resonant rf energy injection in resonance with the natural frequency of one of the ion species. In one embodiment, the electromagnetic energy is injected to clamp the energy and velocity of one of the ion species so that the ion energy is increased, sustained, prolonged and continued in a suprathermal ordered state of existence containing appreciable stored energy that counteracts the slowing down effects of the bulk equilibrium plasma drag. Thus, selective deuteron absorption may be used for ion-tail creation by radiofrequency excitation alone. Also, the rf can be used to increase the fusion output of a two-component neutral injected plasma by selective heating of the injected deuterons. 1 claim, 5 figures.

• Assignee: Energy Research and Development Administration
• Patent Number(s): US 4057462
• Application Number: TRN: 78-017843
• OSTI ID: 6662262
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 26 Feb 1975; Other Information: PAT-APPL-553,196
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
HIGH-FREQUENCY HEATING
TOKAMAK DEVICES
ABSORPTION
EQUILIBRIUM PLASMA
ION TEMPERATURE
NEUTRAL ATOM BEAM INJECTION
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
BEAM INJECTION
CLOSED PLASMA DEVICES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
HEATING
PLASMA
PLASMA HEATING
RADIATIONS
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
700101* - Fusion Energy- Plasma Research- Confinement
Heating
& Production