A controlled nuclear fusion system includes a vacuum chamber, an electrode cage shaped in a first closed-loop tube in the vacuum chamber, wherein the electrode cage comprises electrically conductive wires configured to confine ions and electrons in the electrode cage and a toroidal electromagnetic coil coiled around outside of the electrode cage and configured to produce a closed-loop magnetic flux in the electrode cage.

A controlled nuclear fusion system includes a vacuum chamber, an electrode cage shaped in a first closed-loop tube in the vacuum chamber, wherein the electrode cage comprises electrically conductive wires configured to confine ions and electrons in the electrode cage and a toroidal electromagnetic coil coiled around outside of the electrode cage and configured to produce a closed-loop magnetic flux in the electrode cage.

An example method includes directing gas, via one or more first valves, from within an inner electrode to an acceleration region between the inner electrode and an outer electrode that substantially surrounds the inner electrode, directing gas, via two or more second valves, from outside the outer electrode to the acceleration region, and applying, via a power supply, a voltage between the inner electrode and the outer electrode, thereby converting at least a portion of the directed gas into a plasma saving a substantially annular cross section, the plasma flowing axially within the acceleration region toward a first end of the inner electrode and a first end of the outer electrode and, thereafter, establishing a Z-pinch plasma that flows between the first end of the outer electrode and the first end of the inner electrode. Related plasma confinement systems and methods are also disclosed herein.

An example method includes directing gas, via one or more first valves, from within an inner electrode to an acceleration region between the inner electrode and an outer electrode that substantially surrounds the inner electrode, directing gas, via two or more second valves, from outside the outer electrode to the acceleration region, and applying, via a power supply, a voltage between the inner electrode and the outer electrode, thereby converting at least a portion of the directed gas into a plasma saving a substantially annular cross section, the plasma flowing axially within the acceleration region toward a first end of the inner electrode and a first end of the outer electrode and, thereafter, establishing a Z-pinch plasma that flows between the first end of the outer electrode and the first end of the inner electrode. Related plasma confinement systems and methods are also disclosed herein.

Methods and systems are provided for Z-pinch plasma and other plasma confinement utilizing various electrode compositions and configurations. In one example, a plasma confinement system includes a plurality of electrodes, each electrode of the plurality of electrodes arranged coaxially with respect to an assembly region of the plasma confinement system and positioned so as to be exposed to the assembly region, wherein one or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes includes an electrode material which releases hydrogen gas above a threshold temperature. In an additional or alternative example, a plasma confinement system includes an electrode body including a nosecone, and a liquid metal, a portion of the liquid metal forming a protective film between a surface of the nosecone and an exterior of the nosecone during operation of the plasma confinement system.

Neutron shielding. The neutron shielding comprises a plurality of absorption layers (201, 203), and at least one moderating layer (202). The plurality of absorption layers each comprise tungsten boride or tungsten carbide. The at least one moderating layer comprises a metal hydride. Each moderating layer is between at least two absorption layers.

A tokamak comprising a vacuum chamber, a toroidal field coil, and a solenoid. The solenoid is wound around the toroidal field coil within a central column region of the tokamak. The solenoid comprises an inner portion and two outer portions. The inner portion comprises windings extending axially for a first distance either side of the midpoint of the length of the solenoid. The outer portions, each comprise windings extending axially from an end of the inner portion. The inner portion has a number of turns per unit length which is greater than a number of turns per unit length of the outer portion.

An example method includes directing gas, via one or more first valves, from within an inner electrode to an acceleration region between the inner electrode and an outer electrode that substantially surrounds the inner electrode, directing gas, via two or more second valves, from outside the outer electrode to the acceleration region, and applying, via a power supply, a voltage between the inner electrode and the outer electrode, thereby converting at least a portion of the directed gas into a plasma having a substantially annular cross section, the plasma flowing axially within the acceleration region toward a first end of the inner electrode and a first end of the outer electrode and, thereafter, establishing a Z-pinch plasma that flows between the first end of the outer electrode and the first end of the inner electrode. Related plasma confinement systems and methods are also disclosed herein.

An example method includes directing gas, via one or more first valves, from within an inner electrode to an acceleration region between the inner electrode and an outer electrode that substantially surrounds the inner electrode, directing gas, via two or more second valves, from outside the outer electrode to the acceleration region, and applying, via a power supply, a voltage between the inner electrode and the outer electrode, thereby converting at least a portion of the directed gas into a plasma having a substantially annular cross section, the plasma flowing axially within the acceleration region toward a first end of the inner electrode and a first end of the outer electrode and, thereafter, establishing a Z-pinch plasma that flows between the first end of the outer electrode and the first end of the inner electrode. Related plasma confinement systems and methods are also disclosed herein.

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.