US 4,397,809 A · Charged particle machine

Abstract

Atomic nuclei undergo fusion reactions by forming two beams of fusible ions traveling at fusion producing velocities opposed in rotation along spiral paths having common axes (35a), common radii and occupy common space in a reaction zone (22) for fusion producing collisions of ions in one beam with ions in the other beam. Means including sources (16 and 17) produce the oppositely traveling circumferential beams. Radially directed electric fields are applied to the beams of strength increasing with increasing distance from sources (16 and 17) for beam compression into spiral paths of a common reduced diameter passing through common space in zone (22) to promote collisions between ions in the oppositely traveling beams as they travel in the common space.

Claims2

Dependent claims

A charged particle machine which comprises:

(a) a pair of spaced apart sources of charged particle beams for producing two circumferential oppositely traveling beams;
(b) means to direct said beams along spiral paths having common axes and radii and thus pass through common space;
(c) coaxial cylindrical electrodes spaced apart to define a cylindrical annulus including said common space;
(d) means for application of voltages between said electrodes for establishing a D.C. radially directed electric field along said common axis and in said space to compress said beams and reduce the radii thereof and to oppose the centrifugal forces on said beams as they orbit in said space to maintain high particle density in said space in said cylindrical annulus to promote collisions between oppositely traveling ions in said beams;
and
(e) means responsive to the effects of collisions between ions in said beams.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Charged particle machine

Life of this patent

Charged particle machine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims2