Abstract An Astron reactor including a plurality of linear magnetic field regions joined by intervening curved magnetic fields and arranged in a polygonal configuration. Energetic charged particles are introduced and trapped in the linear sections to form cylindrical sheaths, i.e., E-layers, of charged particles rotating about the axis of each section with the magnetic field thereof interacting with the linear magnetic regions to produce a closed system of magnetic field lines defining a containment zone for charged particles. Fuel materials introduced into the field are ionized and heated to form a high temperature plasma trapped in said zone. The ratio of the lengths of the linear and curved field regions is regulated to offset Bohm diffusion losses. A high molecular weight initiator plasma may also be introduced to heat the fuel to fusion temperatures.
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said dissociable particles are dissociable to produce a charged particle of relativistic energies selected from the group consisting of H , D , T , He3 , and He4 and wherein said fuel material comprises a fusionable light isotope nuclide wherefor said high temperature plasma formed in said containment zone is a controlled fusion reaction plasma.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said E-layer has a current density providing an average diamagnetic strength of at least 25 percent of the uniform intensity magnetic field region to provide a magnetic potential well depth, Delta B/B external, of at least 0.25, thereby providing for stabilization of said magnetIc containment zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said linear magnetic field regions have an intensity of above about 50 kilogauss.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said disassociable particles have an energy of above about 50 MeV.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein means are provided to direct high energy relatively heavy nuclide material of the group consisting of Ne and Xe particles into said magnetic field to be dissociated by interaction with at least said E-layer particles to form ions which are trapped to form a high energy plasma adapted for heating said fuel material to a high temperature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said relativistic charged particles have an energy of at least about 1 BeV.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein means are provided for directing a light nuclide gas or vapor into the path of the beam of high energy particles to interact therewith to form said ions which are trapped to form said relativistic charged particle E-layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said linear magnetic field regions have an intensity of above about 100 kilogauss and said dissociable particles comprise a molecular ion beam wherefor said particles are dissociated by a Lorentz force mechanism in said magnetic field to form ions which are trapped to form said E-layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said light nuclide gas or vapor comprises lithium vapor.