A device includes a channel having an inlet and an outlet, a first electrode disposed within the channel, and a second electrode disposed within the channel so as to define a gap between the second electrode and the first electrode. The device further includes a power source connected to at least one of the electrodes. The second electrode includes a lumen from a first end of the second electrode to a second end of the second electrode. The lumen is configured to introduce a carrier gas to the gap. The inlet is configured to introduce a process stream to the channel. The process stream comprises a viscous petroleum feed material. The power source is configured to produce a spark within the gap, thereby generating a plasma configured to reduce a viscosity of the viscous petroleum feed material and to form a processed petroleum material.

An ignitor subsystem for use in an electric propulsion system is disclosed. The igniter subsystem includes an igniter, which includes a first electrically conducting electrode, a second electrically conducting electrode, and an electrically insulating layer sandwiched between the first and the second electrically conducting electrodes, and a voltage pulse generator electrically coupled to the first and the second electrically conducting electrodes and is adapted to generate a plurality of pulses each with sufficient voltage to cause a breakdown of the electrically insulating layer, thus causing an avalanche of electrons from one of the first and the second electrically conducting electrodes to the other, the voltage pulse generator is further adapted to limit energy transferred to the igniter in each of the plurality of pulses so as to minimize damage to the igniter.

To reduce a length in a longitudinal direction of a mixer, and to provide a mixer that is attachable even in a small space for mounting. The mixer comprises an electromagnetic wave input terminal 6 configured to receive the electromagnetic wave from the electromagnetic wave oscillator, a high voltage pulse input terminal 5 provided separately from the electromagnetic wave input terminal 6 and configured to receive the high voltage pulse from the high voltage pulse generator, a high voltage pulse output terminal 50 configured to output the electromagnetic wave and the high voltage pulse to the ignition device, an electromagnetic wave leakage prevention means 3 arranged between the high voltage pulse input terminal 5 and the high voltage pulse output terminal 50 and arranged in an axis similar with both the terminals, an insulator 4 surrounding the electromagnetic wave leakage prevention means 3 and the high voltage pulse output terminal 50, a cylindrical conductive member surrounding a part of the insulator 4, the cylindrical conductive member forming a resonator 2 connected to the electromagnetic wave input terminal 6, an inner conductor member 6a of the electromagnetic wave input terminal 6 is exposed toward an annular space 20 inside the resonator 2, and an impedance matching adjuster 7 is arranged inside the resonator 2.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a spark gap device that includes a first electrode having a first surface and a second electrode having a second surface offset from and facing the first surface. The spark gap device also includes a light source configured to emit light toward at least the first surface such that photons emitted by the light source when the spark gap is operated are incident on the first surface and cause electron emission from the first surface. The light source includes a discharge probe having a third electrode sealed in a tube filled with an inert gas. The spark gap device may not include a radioactive component.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a spark gap device that includes a first electrode having a first surface and a second electrode having a second surface offset from and facing the first surface. The spark gap device also includes a light source configured to emit light toward at least the first surface such that photons emitted by the light source when the spark gap is operated are incident on the first surface and cause electron emission from the first surface. The light source includes a discharge probe having a third electrode sealed in a tube filled with an inert gas. The spark gap device may not include a radioactive component.

An ignition plug includes a center electrode; a cylindrical insulator that surrounds at least the circumference of a front end portion of the center electrode and that includes a bottom portion at the front side; and a cylindrical metal shell that holds the insulator from the outer circumference side. The center electrode includes a shaft portion that extends along an axial line and a head portion disposed at a front end of the shaft portion. The head portion has a width greater than that of the shaft portion in the radial direction. The insulator includes a first and second insulator. The first insulator has an axial hole and a diameter smaller than the maximum diameter of the head portion. The second insulator is joined to the first insulator. The shaft portion is disposed in the axial hole of the first insulator. The second insulator encloses the head portion.

An ignition plug includes a center electrode; a cylindrical insulator that surrounds at least the circumference of a front end portion of the center electrode and that includes a bottom portion at the front side; and a cylindrical metal shell that holds the insulator from the outer circumference side. The center electrode includes a shaft portion that extends along an axial line and a head portion disposed at a front end of the shaft portion. The head portion has a width greater than that of the shaft portion in the radial direction. The insulator includes a first and second insulator. The first insulator has an axial hole and a diameter smaller than the maximum diameter of the head portion. The second insulator is joined to the first insulator. The shaft portion is disposed in the axial hole of the first insulator. The second insulator encloses the head portion.

Described herein are methods and systems relating to an x-ray generation system. In some embodiments, the system includes an electron beam acceleration region that generates an electron beam and accelerates electrons in the beam and a radiation generation region that (i) receives the electron beam and (ii) generates an electric field having an energy of greater than about 10E7 V/m without electrical breakdown of vacuum gaps. The electric field is configured to decelerate electrons in the electron beam sufficiently to generate x-ray energy.

Described herein are methods and systems relating to an x-ray generation system. In some embodiments, the system includes an electron beam acceleration region that generates an electron beam and accelerates electrons in the beam and a radiation generation region that (i) receives the electron beam and (ii) generates an electric field having an energy of greater than about 10E7 V/m without electrical breakdown of vacuum gaps. The electric field is configured to decelerate electrons in the electron beam sufficiently to generate x-ray energy.

A plasma apparatus of a plasma processing system is provided. The plasma apparatus defines a toroidal plasma channel and includes multiple end blocks defining respective portions of the toroidal plasma channel. Each end block includes an end-block tube constructed from a first electrically conductive material and a dielectric coating disposed on an interior surface of the end-block tube. The plasma apparatus also includes multiple mid-blocks defining respective portions of the toroidal plasma channel. Each mid-block includes at least one heat sink located adjacent to a substantially linear tube with a thermal interface disposed therebetween. The thermal interface is in physical communication with the tube and the at least one heat sink. The mid-block tube has a substantially uniform wall thickness and is constructed from a dielectric material. The at least one heat sink is constructed from a second electrically conductive material.