Methods and systems are provided for plasma confinement utilizing various electrode and valve configurations. In one example, a device includes a first electrode positioned to define an outer boundary of an acceleration volume, a second electrode arranged coaxially with respect to the first electrode and positioned to define an inner boundary of the acceleration volume, at least one power supply to drive an electric current along a Z-pinch plasma column between the first second electrodes, and a set of valves to provide gas to the acceleration volume to fuel the Z-pinch plasma column, wherein an electron flow of the electric current is in a first direction from the second electrode to the first electrode. In additional or alternative examples, a shaping part is conductively connected to the second electrode to, in a presence of the gas, cause a gas breakdown of the gas to generate a sheared flow velocity profile.

Methods and systems are provided for plasma confinement utilizing various electrode and valve configurations. In one example, a device includes a first electrode positioned to define an outer boundary of an acceleration volume, a second electrode arranged coaxially with respect to the first electrode and positioned to define an inner boundary of the acceleration volume, at least one power supply to drive an electric current along a Z-pinch plasma column between the first second electrodes, and a set of valves to provide gas to the acceleration volume to fuel the Z-pinch plasma column, wherein an electron flow of the electric current is in a first direction from the second electrode to the first electrode. In additional or alternative examples, a shaping part is conductively connected to the second electrode to, in a presence of the gas, cause a gas breakdown of the gas to generate a sheared flow velocity profile.

Methods and systems are provided for plasma confinement utilizing various electrode and valve configurations. In one example, a device includes a first electrode positioned to define an outer boundary of an acceleration volume, a second electrode arranged coaxially with respect to the first electrode and positioned to define an inner boundary of the acceleration volume, at least one power supply to drive an electric current along a Z-pinch plasma column between the first second electrodes, and a set of valves to provide gas to the acceleration volume to fuel the Z-pinch plasma column, wherein an electron flow of the electric current is in a first direction from the second electrode to the first electrode. In additional or alternative examples, a shaping part is conductively connected to the second electrode to, in a presence of the gas, cause a gas breakdown of the gas to generate a sheared flow velocity profile.

A system for generating magnetized plasma and sustaining plasma's magnetic field comprises a plasma generator for generating magnetized plasma and a flux conserver in which the generated magnetized plasma is injected and confined. A central conductor comprises an upper central conductor and a lower central conductor that are electrically connected forming a single integrated conductor. The upper central conductor and an outer electrode form an annular plasma propagating channel. The lower central conductor extends out of the plasma generator and into the flux conserver such that an end of the inner electrode is electrically connected to a wall of the flux conserver. A power system provides a formation current pulse and a sustainment current pulse to the central conductor to form the magnetized plasma, inject such plasma into the flux conserver and sustain plasma's magnetic field.

A system for generating magnetized plasma and sustaining plasma's magnetic field comprises a plasma generator for generating magnetized plasma and a flux conserver in which the generated magnetized plasma is injected and confined. A central conductor comprises an upper central conductor and a lower central conductor that are electrically connected forming a single integrated conductor. The upper central conductor and an outer electrode form an annular plasma propagating channel. The lower central conductor extends out of the plasma generator and into the flux conserver such that an end of the inner electrode is electrically connected to a wall of the flux conserver. A power system provides a formation current pulse and a sustainment current pulse to the central conductor to form the magnetized plasma, inject such plasma into the flux conserver and sustain plasma's magnetic field.

In a plasma compression fusion device, two electrical grids used to ionize the Deuterium gas (or other fusion fuel in gaseous form). The two grids are kept at different oppositely charged voltages so as to electrostatically accelerate either electrons or ions into the plasma core, depending on desired physical effect. Each of the grids are driven by an electrical signal—one positive and one negative. The two signals are controlled by a spread spectrum modulator that outputs the desired electrical signal, which is modulated by the spread spectrum modulator under the control of a pseudo random (PN) sequence. To achieve the desired electrical effect, the two signals must be matched exactly in phase and amplitude. One signal, e.g., the positive signal, is controlled by a PN sequence from outside the device, whereas the opposite signal is controlled by a PN sequence built into the device. If the two PN sequences are identical, then both of the desired electrical signals are created having the same amplitude and phase, in which case the fusion device will operate as designed. If the two sequences do not match, the two plates will not create the proper ionization of the Deuterium gas, rendering the device inoperable for its intended purpose. The enables control of the device from outside since the two PN sequences must match to operate.

In a plasma compression fusion device, two electrical grids used to ionize the Deuterium gas (or other fusion fuel in gaseous form). The two grids are kept at different oppositely charged voltages so as to electrostatically accelerate either electrons or ions into the plasma core, depending on desired physical effect. Each of the grids are driven by an electrical signal—one positive and one negative. The two signals are controlled by a spread spectrum modulator that outputs the desired electrical signal, which is modulated by the spread spectrum modulator under the control of a pseudo random (PN) sequence. To achieve the desired electrical effect, the two signals must be matched exactly in phase and amplitude. One signal, e.g., the positive signal, is controlled by a PN sequence from outside the device, whereas the opposite signal is controlled by a PN sequence built into the device. If the two PN sequences are identical, then both of the desired electrical signals are created having the same amplitude and phase, in which case the fusion device will operate as designed. If the two sequences do not match, the two plates will not create the proper ionization of the Deuterium gas, rendering the device inoperable for its intended purpose. The enables control of the device from outside since the two PN sequences must match to operate.

A radioactive power generation system is disclosed, the system comprising a radioactive power generator and a releasable antiproton containment. The radioactive power generator includes a radioisotope material. The releasable antiproton containment comprising a plurality of antiprotons contained in isolation from the radioisotope material. The releasable antiproton containment is configured to selectively release the antiprotons from the releasable antiproton containment such that the antiprotons can annihilate the radioisotope material in a fission event to reenergize the radioactive power generator.

An example plasma confinement system includes an inner electrode having a rounded first end that is disposed on a longitudinal axis of the plasma confinement system and an outer electrode that at least partially surrounds the inner electrode. The outer electrode includes a solid conductive shell and an electrically conductive material disposed on the solid conductive shell and on the longitudinal axis of the plasma confinement system. The electrically conductive material has a melting point within a range of 170° C. to 800° C. at 1 atmosphere of pressure. Related plasma confinement systems and methods are also disclosed herein.

An example plasma confinement system includes an inner electrode having a rounded first end that is disposed on a longitudinal axis of the plasma confinement system and an outer electrode that at least partially surrounds the inner electrode. The outer electrode includes a solid conductive shell and an electrically conductive material disposed on the solid conductive shell and on the longitudinal axis of the plasma confinement system. The electrically conductive material has a melting point within a range of 170° C. to 800° C. at 1 atmosphere of pressure. Related plasma confinement systems and methods are also disclosed herein.