Provided herein are systems, devices, articles of manufacture, and methods for generating neutrons employing a high energy ion beam target (HEIB target) and a target backing configured to be in contact with the bottom surface of the HEIB target (e.g., to generate an ion beam target assembly). In certain embodiments, the HEIB target has a thickness that is less than the penetration depth of protons or deuterons in the high energy ion beam that strikes the target. In certain embodiments, the target backing comprises a high hydrogen diffusion metal (e.g., palladium), has open spaces dispersed throughout for reduced proton diffusion distances, and has a shape and thickness such that all, or virtually all, of the protons or deuterons that pass through the HEIB target are stopped. Also provided herein are systems, devices, and methods for changing targets in an ion beam accelerator system.

A Device and method for third low-temperature controllable nuclear fusion is disclosed. The main substances used for nuclear fusion in the disclosure are polyatomic molecules, namely lithium deuteride 6, lithium deuteride 7 and beryllium 9, and a specific method for controlling the intensity of nuclear fusion reaction is provided. After neutrons are generated, a neutron proliferation reaction and a self-circulation continuous nuclear fusion reaction are formed. The main reaction is as follows: firstly, deuterons react with one another to generate neutrons, then the neutrons react with a lithium-6 nucleus d to generate a tritium nucleus t, the t reacts with a lithium-7 nucleus, the neutrons react with a beryllium-9 nucleus, and finally, two neutrons and two helium-4 nucleuses are released.

A nuclear fusion reactor includes a chamber containing plasma and two or more devices which include superconducting electromagnetic coils. At least one of the two or more devices may be biased to a high voltage to provide thermal energy to ions in the magnetic confinement region. In some examples, the chamber and the two or more devices can be coaxial and toroid shaped. In some examples, the chamber can be spherical or cylindrical with the two or more devices being toroid or elongated toroid shaped and formed on opposite faces of a cuboid. The two or more devices may be disposed in the chamber to provide a high-beta magnetic confinement region for the plasma.

A system for reducing plasma instability is disclosed. The system includes: an outer electrode having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end; and an inner electrode disposed inside of a void defined within the outer electrode and arranged coaxial with the outer electrode. The inner electrode includes: a base end defined by the first end of the outer electrode; and an apical end spaced from the base end. The system includes a fiber injector configured to inject a frozen fiber into the void from the apical end of the inner electrode; an electrode power source configured to energize the outer electrode and the inner electrode, and thereby, cause a plasma contained within the outer electrode to flow axially along the frozen fiber; and a frozen fiber power source configured to drive an electrical pulse to the frozen fiber.

A method to produce metallic beryllium spheres with high sphericity in a large quantity efficiently at a low cost is provided herein. The method of continuously producing metal beryllium spheres comprises the steps of: collecting granulated beryllium spheres produced by charging beryllium powder into a rotary kiln; classifying the collected beryllium spheres by particle size with an automatic sieve; and crushing particles of beryllium spheres of non-target diameters and mixing them with the raw material beryllium powder for reuse. The rotary kiln has a core tube the inner surface of which is coated with beryllium oxide by sintering the slurry coating of beryllium hydroxide applied after alkaline silica treatment.

A composite structure is disclosed comprising a neutron-absorbing metal hydride phase contained within a matrix having a density of greater than 95%. In various embodiments the metal hydride is a hydride of one or more of the following: Gadolinium, Hafnium, Europium, Samarium. The composite structure is utile as a shield for fusion or fission reactors.

A target (10) for triggering nuclear fusion reactions non-thermally includes a plurality of aligned nano-rods (12) of a first nuclear fusion fuel material, and an interspace between the nano-rods filled with a second nuclear fusion fuel material. The first and second nuclear fusion fuel materials are different from each other. In some embodiments, the nuclei of the first nuclear fusion fuel material have a first atomic number and nuclei of the second nuclear fusion fuel material have a second atomic number, wherein the first atomic number is higher than the second atomic number. A system for producing neutronic and aneutronic fusion energy by a neutronic and/or aneutronic nuclear fusion reaction includes a target (10) and a laser device for emitting a laser pulse that can at least partially be absorbed by the target (10).

A chamber cross-sectional multi-stage plasma arrangement characterized by escalating charge movement towards chamber center axis through one or more escalation stages contributing to the heating of the plasma, the centering of the plasma on the chamber axis, and creating rotation of the plasma therein. Rotation of the plasma around its axis induces a self-generated magnetic field, which in turn increases plasma stability and confinement. Some of the said stages of the multi-stage arrangement may be created by physical elements and components while others may be induced or generated by externally applying magnetic and/or electric fields or their combinations and/or by injection of electrons, ions or other plasma.

A controlled fusion process is provided that can produce a sustained series of fusion reactions: a process that (i) uses a substantially higher reactant density of the deuterium and tritium gases by converging cationic reactants into the higher reaction density at a target cathode rather than relying on random collisions, the converging producing a substantially higher rate of fusion and energy production; (ii) uses a substantially lower input of energy to initiate the fusion; (iii) can be cycled at a substantially higher cycle frequency; (iv) has a practical heat exchange method; (v) is substantially less costly to manufacture, operate, and maintain; and, (vi) has a substantially improved reaction efficiency as a result of not mixing reactants with products.

A fusion drive magnetically confining a plasma in a stable plectonemic minimum-energy Taylor states formed from the merging of a plurality of plectonemic Taylor states. Magnetic reconnection converts magnetic energy into ion heating to attain high temperatures before compression. The plasma configuration is then compressed to net gain in a peristaltic magnetic nozzle arrangement. The fusion drive supports generation of electrical power with inductive direct electric or thermal conversion methods.