US 4,381,280 AGranted

Method and device for producing nuclear fusion

AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army

InventorThomas G. Roberts

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Abstract

A triggering device and method for producing nuclear fusion reactions and having two or more intense pulses of high energy electrons derived from a single source and delivered to a target along separate paths but arriving at substantially the same time. The electron beams are produced in the electrode space of an electron accelerator which utilizes a cathode for producing multiple electron beams. Each electron beam is injected into a separate conventional linear pinch discharge. The high energy electron beams follow the pinch discharge and are delivered to the target. The pinch discharge tubes are curved so that each electron beam approaches the target from a different direction for irradiating the target symmetrically. Return conductors strategically located on the outer surface of each pinch discharge tube maintains the curved discharge within the center of the tube and sustains the pinch.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A trigger device for directing electron beam pulses toward a target comprising:

an electron accelerator having a cathode for emitting electrons and an accelerating electrode having plural openings therein through which electrons exit said accelerator, said cathode being a multi-element cathode having a plurality of separate emitting portions for simultaneously generating separate electron beam pulses from a common source, said emitting portions being positioned adjacent respective openings, in said accelerating electrode for directing electrons from an emitting portion through a particular electrode opening, a plurality of curved dielectric linear pinch discharge tubes of equal length for directing the separate electron beam pulses to the target from different directions for symmetrically and simultaneously irradiating the target uniformly, each tube having a first end adjacent said accelerating electrode for receiving electrons therein from only one of said cathode emitting portions, a second end adjacent said target, and being filled with a plasma producing medium for providing electron transport through said tube.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.