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.

An illumination source includes a laser driver unit configured to emit a plasma sustaining beam. An ingress collimator receives the plasma sustaining beam and produces a collimated ingress beam. A focusing optic receives the collimated ingress beam and produce a focused sustaining beam. A sealed lamp chamber contains an ionizable media that, once ignited, forms a high intensity light emitting plasma having a waist size smaller than 150 microns. The sealed lamp chamber further includes an ingress window configured to receive the focused sustaining beam and an egress window configured to emit the high intensity light. An ignition source is configured to ignite the ionizable media, and an exit fiber is configured to receive and convey the high intensity light. The high intensity light is white light with a black body spectrum, and the exit fiber has a diameter in the range of 200-500 micrometers.

An illumination source includes a laser driver unit configured to emit a plasma sustaining beam. An ingress collimator receives the plasma sustaining beam and produces a collimated ingress beam. A focusing optic receives the collimated ingress beam and produce a focused sustaining beam. A sealed lamp chamber contains an ionizable media that, once ignited, forms a high intensity light emitting plasma having a waist size smaller than 150 microns. The sealed lamp chamber further includes an ingress window configured to receive the focused sustaining beam and an egress window configured to emit the high intensity light. An ignition source is configured to ignite the ionizable media, and an exit fiber is configured to receive and convey the high intensity light. The high intensity light is white light with a black body spectrum, and the exit fiber has a diameter in the range of 200-500 micrometers.

Systems and methods are provided that facilitate stability of an FRC plasma in both radial and axial directions and axial position control of an FRC plasma along the symmetry axis of an FRC plasma chamber. The systems and methods exploit an axially unstable equilibria of the FRC plasma to enforce radial stability, while stabilizing or controlling the axial instability. The systems and methods provide feedback control of the FRC plasma axial position independent of the stability properties of the plasma equilibrium by acting on the voltages applied to a set of external coils concentric with the plasma and using a non-linear control technique.

Systems and methods are provided that facilitate stability of an FRC plasma in both radial and axial directions and axial position control of an FRC plasma along the symmetry axis of an FRC plasma chamber. The systems and methods exploit an axially unstable equilibria of the FRC plasma to enforce radial stability, while stabilizing or controlling the axial instability. The systems and methods provide feedback control of the FRC plasma axial position independent of the stability properties of the plasma equilibrium by acting on the voltages applied to a set of external coils concentric with the plasma and using a non-linear control technique.

An inductively coupled plasma (ICP) torch is described that includes an injector protector to shield an injector end. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a tubular sample injector configured to receive an aerosolized sample in an interior defined by walls of the tubular sample injector; an injector protector surrounding at least a portion of the tubular sample injector; an inner tube surrounding at least a portion of the injector protector to form a first annular space between the inner tube and the injector protector, the inner tube defining at least one inlet port for introduction of an auxiliary gas into the first annular space; and an outer tube surrounding at least a portion of the inner tube to form a second annular space, the outer tube defining at least one inlet port for introduction of a cooling gas into the second annular space.

An inductively coupled plasma (ICP) torch is described that includes an injector protector to shield an injector end. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a tubular sample injector configured to receive an aerosolized sample in an interior defined by walls of the tubular sample injector; an injector protector surrounding at least a portion of the tubular sample injector; an inner tube surrounding at least a portion of the injector protector to form a first annular space between the inner tube and the injector protector, the inner tube defining at least one inlet port for introduction of an auxiliary gas into the first annular space; and an outer tube surrounding at least a portion of the inner tube to form a second annular space, the outer tube defining at least one inlet port for introduction of a cooling gas into the second annular space.

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.

An illumination source includes a laser driver unit configured to emit a plasma sustaining beam. An ingress collimator receives the plasma sustaining beam and produces a collimated ingress beam. A focusing optic receives the collimated ingress beam and produce a focused sustaining beam. A sealed lamp chamber contains an ionizable media that, once ignited, forms a high intensity light emitting plasma having a waist size smaller than 150 microns. The sealed lamp chamber further includes an ingress window configured to receive the focused sustaining beam and an egress window configured to emit the high intensity light. An ignition source is configured to ignite the ionizable media, and an exit fiber is configured to receive and convey the high intensity light. The high intensity light is white light with a black body spectrum, and the exit fiber has a diameter in the range of 200-500 micrometers.

An illumination source includes a laser driver unit configured to emit a plasma sustaining beam. An ingress collimator receives the plasma sustaining beam and produces a collimated ingress beam. A focusing optic receives the collimated ingress beam and produce a focused sustaining beam. A sealed lamp chamber contains an ionizable media that, once ignited, forms a high intensity light emitting plasma having a waist size smaller than 150 microns. The sealed lamp chamber further includes an ingress window configured to receive the focused sustaining beam and an egress window configured to emit the high intensity light. An ignition source is configured to ignite the ionizable media, and an exit fiber is configured to receive and convey the high intensity light. The high intensity light is white light with a black body spectrum, and the exit fiber has a diameter in the range of 200-500 micrometers.