A first system for producing a high flux of neutrons for non-destructive testing includes a dense plasma focus device neutronically coupled to a subcritical or sub-prompt critical fission assembly. The dense plasma focus device is a source of initiating neutrons for the fission assembly, and the fission assembly is configured to multiply a number of the initiating neutrons via inducing fission. A second system for producing a high flux of neutrons includes a gas-target neutron generator neutronically coupled to a subcritical or sub-prompt critical fission assembly. The gas-target neutron generator is a source of initiating neutrons for the fission assembly, and the fission assembly is configured to multiply a number of the initiating neutrons via inducing fission.

A plasma reactor is provided together with a method for generating kinetic energy to propel a craft. The reactor includes an inlet for plasma; a reactor core having an interior chamber and an exterior chamber, the interior chamber being configured to rotate within the exterior chamber; a pair of opposing polar field generators, a first polar field generator connected proximal to an inlet of the interior chamber, and a second polar field generator connected proximal to an outlet of the interior chamber, the pair of polar field generators configured to induce a current in the plasma to generate a toroidal flow therein, wherein the toroidal flow compresses the plasma into a z-pinch flow in a central column between the first polar field generator and the second polar field generator; turbine blades located between the interior chamber and the exterior chamber for generating thrust to convert the z-pinch flow to kinetic energy; and an outlet.

A plasma reactor is provided together with a method for generating kinetic energy to propel a craft. The reactor includes an inlet for plasma; a reactor core having an interior chamber and an exterior chamber, the interior chamber being configured to rotate within the exterior chamber; a pair of opposing polar field generators, a first polar field generator connected proximal to an inlet of the interior chamber, and a second polar field generator connected proximal to an outlet of the interior chamber, the pair of polar field generators configured to induce a current in the plasma to generate a toroidal flow therein, wherein the toroidal flow compresses the plasma into a z-pinch flow in a central column between the first polar field generator and the second polar field generator; turbine blades located between the interior chamber and the exterior chamber for generating thrust to convert the z-pinch flow to kinetic energy; and an outlet.

A plasma focus system for neutron production is disclosed that includes an electrode assembly having an inner electrode extending along a pinch axis from a discharge end to a focus end, and an outer electrode surrounding the inner electrode to define a plasma channel for receiving a gas containing neutronic fusion fuel. The system also includes a power supply unit for applying a discharge driving signal to the electrodes, which causes the gas to be ionized into a plasma current sheath at the discharge end that flows along the plasma channel to reach the focus end where the sheath collapses toward the pinch axis to form a plasma pinch that generates fusion neutrons. The inner electrode has a tapered tip at the focus end that is configured to increase a speed of the sheath sufficiently to reach a pinch temperature at which the fusion neutrons are predominantly of thermonuclear origin.

A plasma focus system for neutron production is disclosed that includes an electrode assembly having an inner electrode extending along a pinch axis from a discharge end to a focus end, and an outer electrode surrounding the inner electrode to define a plasma channel for receiving a gas containing neutronic fusion fuel. The system also includes a power supply unit for applying a discharge driving signal to the electrodes, which causes the gas to be ionized into a plasma current sheath at the discharge end that flows along the plasma channel to reach the focus end where the sheath collapses toward the pinch axis to form a plasma pinch that generates fusion neutrons. The inner electrode has a tapered tip at the focus end that is configured to increase a speed of the sheath sufficiently to reach a pinch temperature at which the fusion neutrons are predominantly of thermonuclear origin.

A diode assembly for producing a pulsed fusion event in a z-pinch driver. The diode assembly includes an inner core including a lithium compound formed of one or more lithium isotopes and one or more hydrogen isotopes. An electrically conducting outer sheath is disposed around the inner core. The electrically conducting outer sheath includes an electrical conductance that is at least three times greater than an electrical conductance of the lithium compound of the inner core.

A diode assembly for producing a pulsed fusion event in a z-pinch driver. The diode assembly includes an inner core including a lithium compound formed of one or more lithium isotopes and one or more hydrogen isotopes. An electrically conducting outer sheath is disposed around the inner core. The electrically conducting outer sheath includes an electrical conductance that is at least three times greater than an electrical conductance of the lithium compound of the inner core.

A plasma generation system is disclosed that includes a plasma generator and a magnetic field generator. The plasma generator includes a plasma chamber having a longitudinal Z-pinch axis. The plasma generator is configured to generate a Z-pinch plasma along the Z-pinch axis within the plasma chamber. The magnetic field generator is arranged with respect to the plasma generator and configured to generate, after the Z-pinch plasma is formed, a Z-pinch-stabilizing magnetic field extending longitudinally within the plasma chamber for stabilizing and compressing the Z-pinch plasma.

A plasma generation system is disclosed that includes a plasma generator and a magnetic field generator. The plasma generator includes a plasma chamber having a longitudinal Z-pinch axis. The plasma generator is configured to generate a Z-pinch plasma along the Z-pinch axis within the plasma chamber. The magnetic field generator is arranged with respect to the plasma generator and configured to generate, after the Z-pinch plasma is formed, a Z-pinch-stabilizing magnetic field extending longitudinally within the plasma chamber for stabilizing and compressing the Z-pinch plasma.

A plasma generation system includes a plasma confinement device, a precursor supply unit, and a power supply unit. The plasma confinement device includes an inner electrode, an outer electrode, and an electrically insulating insert. The outer electrode surrounds the inner electrode to define an acceleration region therebetween, and extends longitudinally beyond the inner electrode to define an assembly region. The acceleration and assembly regions form a plasma chamber. The plasma generation system has a first and a second operation mode, wherein the insert is respectively removed from and inserted into the plasma chamber. In both modes, the precursor supply unit is configured to supply a plasma precursor in the plasma chamber and the power supply unit is configured to energize the plasma precursor into a Z-pinch plasma. In the second mode, the insert is configured to reduce a discharge volume of the plasma chamber to substantially exclude the acceleration region.