GB884705A - Improvements in electric discharge apparatus for producing high localized temperatures - Google Patents

Abstract

884,705. Nuclear fusion reactors; magnetrons. ENGLISH ELECTRIC CO. Ltd. Nov. 27, 1958 [Nov. 28, 1957], No. 37089/57. Classes 39(1) and 39(4) Apparatus for generating high local temperatures in an ionised gas by the action of a selfconstricting electrical discharge comprises means for producing a periodic electrical discharge through the gas in the direction of a magnetic field at a frequency which is an integral multiple of the cyclotron frequencies of the gas ions in that field. In Fig. 2 the discharge chamber comprises two frusto-conical electrodes 20a 20b having apices at a common point and a part spherical shield 20c, and forms a cavity resonator resonant at a frequency which is a multiple of the cyclotron frequency of the gas in the chamber, which may be deuterium. A magnetic field extends between electrodes 20a 20b, and the resonator may be shock-excited through a switch, operated at the resonant frequency, and delay lines 22, 26 charged from a D.C. source. Energy produced within the chamber by nuclear fusion reactions may be abstracted by a cooling jacket (not shown) surrounding electrode 20c. In a modification, Fig. 3, the part spherical electrode 30 is provided with resonant cavities 35 which operate by a magnetron type action to supply an electrical output, for example through probes provided in the cavities. Heat may also be abstracted by cooling tubes 34 which surround electrode 30 and the frusto-conical electrodes 31, 32. Magnetic pole-pieces 11a 11b fit inside electrodes 31, 32, but are insulated from them, and are provided with channels 37a 37b through which gas may be fed to the chamber. An electron emitting filament 40 may be situated in one of the channels to enable the gas to be ionised. A vacuum pump (not shown) may be connected to the chamber to maintain its pressure at about 10<SP>-5</SP>mm. The chamber may be surrounded by a shield of lithium hydride which, under neutron bombardment, produces tritium which can be collected and fed into the chamber.