Method of achieving the controlled release of thermonuclear energy

Patent · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:865965

Brueckner, Keith A ^[1]

---

1. Ann Arbor, MI

A method of achieving the controlled release of thermonuclear energy by illuminating a minute, solid density, hollow shell of a mixture of material such as deuterium and tritium with a high intensity, uniformly converging laser wave to effect an extremely rapid build-up of energy in inwardly traveling shock waves to implode the shell creating thermonuclear conditions causing a reaction of deuterons and tritons and a resultant high energy thermonuclear burn. Utilizing the resulting energy as a thermal source and to breed tritium or plutonium. The invention also contemplates a laser source wherein the flux level is increased with time to reduce the initial shock heating of fuel and provide maximum compression after implosion; and, in addition, computations and an equation are provided to enable the selection of a design having a high degree of stability and a dependable fusion performance by establishing a proper relationship between the laser energy input and the size and character of the selected material for the fusion capsule.

• DOE Contract Number: AT(49-2)-3001
• Assignee: KMS Fusion, Inc. (Ann Arbor, MI)
• Patent Number(s): US 4608222
• OSTI ID: 865965
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
achieving
controlled
release
thermonuclear
energy
illuminating
minute
solid
density
hollow
shell
mixture
material
deuterium
tritium
intensity
uniformly
converging
laser
wave
effect
extremely
rapid
build-up
inwardly
traveling
shock
waves
implode
creating
conditions
causing
reaction
deuterons
tritons
resultant
burn
utilizing
resulting
thermal
source
breed
plutonium
contemplates
flux
level
increased
time
reduce
initial
heating
fuel
provide
maximum
compression
implosion
addition
computations
equation
provided
enable
selection
design
degree
stability
dependable
fusion
performance
establishing
proper
relationship
input
size
character
selected
capsule
shock waves
shock wave
laser source
laser energy
provide maximum
controlled release
energy input
selected material
thermonuclear energy
nuclear energy
hollow shell
extremely rapid
thermal source
/376/