An inertial electrostatic confinement fusion device has a body defining an internal vacuum chamber cavity, the chamber cavity having attached a means to evacuate atmosphere to vacuum conditions, the chamber cavity further having attached a means to inject a nuclear fusion fuel source at a metered rate, the chamber cavity further having within it a plurality of electrodes connected to a high voltage alternating current power supply such that at least one pair of said electrodes consistently have electrical charge of opposite polarity and equal magnitude, having a minimum distance between oppositely charged electrodes defining an electrode gap, the power supply further alternating the electrical current at a rate faster than ions of the nuclear fusion fuel source can traverse the electrode gap when accelerated by the applied voltage.

An atomic beam generator includes a cathode constituted as a housing having an emission surface provided with an irradiation port through which an atomic beam is emissive; an anode disposed inside the cathode to generate plasma between the cathode and the anode; and a magnetic field generating unit including a first magnetic field generating unit that generates a first magnetic field and a second magnetic field generating unit that generates a second magnetic field, and guiding positive ions produced in the cathode to the emission surface by generating, in the cathode, the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field both parallel to the emission surface such that a magnetic field direction is leftward in the first magnetic field and is rightward in the second magnetic field when viewed from an emission surface side on condition of the first magnetic field being positioned above the second 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.

Examples of systems for imploding liquid liner are described. The imploding system comprises a vessel and a rotating member positioned within the vessel. The rotating member has a plurality of shaped blades that form a plurality of curved passages that have an inboard opening at an inner surface and an outboard end at an outer surface. The rotating member is at least partially filled with liquid medium. A driver is used to rotate the rotating member such that when the rotating member rotates the liquid medium is forced into the passages forming a liquid liner with an interface curved with respect to an axis of rotation and defining a cavity. The system further comprises an implosion driver that changes the rotational speed of the rotating member such that the liquid liner is imploded inwardly collapsing the cavity. The imploding liquid liner can be used in plasma compression systems.

Examples of systems for imploding liquid liner are described. The imploding system comprises a vessel and a rotating member positioned within the vessel. The rotating member has a plurality of shaped blades that form a plurality of curved passages that have an inboard opening at an inner surface and an outboard end at an outer surface. The rotating member is at least partially filled with liquid medium. A driver is used to rotate the rotating member such that when the rotating member rotates the liquid medium is forced into the passages forming a liquid liner with an interface curved with respect to an axis of rotation and defining a cavity. The system further comprises an implosion driver that changes the rotational speed of the rotating member such that the liquid liner is imploded inwardly collapsing the cavity. The imploding liquid liner can be used in plasma compression systems.

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to devices and methods for creating hollow, near-hollow, and parabolic plasma channels. In one aspect, a device includes a block of material and a cooling system. The block of material defines a channel having a cylindrical shape and having a first open end and a second open end. An axis of the channel lies along a straight line. The block of material further defines a first gas port and a second gas port. The first gas port and the second gas port are in fluid communication with channel. The cooling system is operable to cool the channel to below the freezing point of a gas.

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to devices and methods for creating hollow, near-hollow, and parabolic plasma channels. In one aspect, a device includes a block of material and a cooling system. The block of material defines a channel having a cylindrical shape and having a first open end and a second open end. An axis of the channel lies along a straight line. The block of material further defines a first gas port and a second gas port. The first gas port and the second gas port are in fluid communication with channel. The cooling system is operable to cool the channel to below the freezing point of a gas.

A helium plasma characterised by an emission spectrum dominated by the 1s3p .sup.1P.sub.1 to 1s2 .sup.1S.sub.0 501.5 nm transmission line, and a pressure less than 510.sup.3 mbar. Methods and apparatus for igniting the plasma, and for using the plasma for pre-ionisation and glow discharge cleaning are also disclosed.

A system and method for fueling a fusion reactor. The system includes a reactor chamber containing a stable plasma including a fusion fuel; a heating system configured to heat the plasma and increase an ion energy of the plasma to a level sufficient for producing net power from fusion reactions in the stable plasma; a plurality of magnets coaxial to the reactor chamber, the plurality of magnets producing a magnetic field sufficient to confine the stable plasma and promote rapid loss of fusion products into a scrape off layer; and a neutral beam injection system configured to inject additional quantities of the fusion fuel to sustain the power output of the fusion reaction.

A system and method for fueling a fusion reactor. The system includes a reactor chamber containing a stable plasma including a fusion fuel; a heating system configured to heat the plasma and increase an ion energy of the plasma to a level sufficient for producing net power from fusion reactions in the stable plasma; a plurality of magnets coaxial to the reactor chamber, the plurality of magnets producing a magnetic field sufficient to confine the stable plasma and promote rapid loss of fusion products into a scrape off layer; and a neutral beam injection system configured to inject additional quantities of the fusion fuel to sustain the power output of the fusion reaction.