Energetic electron beam assisted fusion neutron generator
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
InventorsThomas G. Roberts, Romas A. Shatas, Harry C. Meyer, III, John D. Stettler
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Abstract
An energetic electron beam fusion neutron generator in which a plasma is duced by a plasma generator to produce neutrons and to increase the number of neutrons produced, an electron source is guided to the produced plasma to further heat the plasma and produce an even greater number of neutrons. The inner electrode of the plasma generator utilizes the inneraction of the beams self magnetic field with the inner surface of the inner electrode to guide the electron source to the plasma.
Claims6
An electron beam assisted fusion neutron generator comprising a plasma generator for producing a plasma, a source of high energy electrons, said plasma generator and said source of high energy electrons being mounted coaxially for transmission of electrons from said source of high energy electrons and propagation of said electrons through a bore within an inner electrode of said plasma generator, a chamber in said plasma generator that is filled with gases selected from the group consisting of deuterium-tritium, deuterium, tritium and deuterium .sup.3 He to provide a clean environment for said plasma, and control means for said plasma generator and said source of high energy electrons for causing neutrons to be produced from direct inneraction of the plasma produced by the plasma generator and said electrons from said source of high energy electrons, said control means being such as to cause said electrons to have their space charge neutralized when they enter said bore and to be guided by inneraction of their magnetic field with an inner surface of said bore to deliver said electrons to said plasma.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.