Other

Triumf

Joel Guild Rogers

Mark S Andreaco

Sebastian Paquet

Lothar R Buchmann

Paul W Schmor

Christian Moisan

Dwight P Saylor

Embodiments of a plasma fusion energy reactor based on Bussard's Polywell concept. The apparatus of the embodiments include interior, electron-extraction electrodes to remove cold, trapped electrons and replace them with hot electrons. Hot electrons efficiently confine a dense, hot plasma fuel. The method of the embodiments discloses a procedure for controlling the reactor during its start-up phase of operation. During start-up the reactor is changed from being in a cold, empty state to being in a stable steady-state of energy production. Reliable computer simulation predicts that in steady-state the disclosed apparatus and method will produce usable net-power continuously and for an indefinite period of operation. The full-scale reactor design is suitable for replacing most of the world's existing coal-fired power production with a clean, safe energy production alternative.

Apparatus and method for controlling a plasma fusion reactor

An improved fusion reactor design with provision for supplying plasma fuel inside a model reactor without consuming additional power in the process. Embodiments provide free choice of useful fuels from the full range of fusible isotopes. Other embodiments provide means of selectively extracting up-scattered electrons from the plasma, followed by replacing them with electrons of corrected energy. Computer simulations show fusion reactors constructed with these inventive improvements will demonstrate increased net-power compared to other fusion reactors of similar size. The Specification of the invention leads immediately to staged reactor development, starting from small-scale model-reactors, moving on to larger and larger scale models, culminating with commercial power plants.

Fusion energy device with internal ion source

An embodiment of a hardware module for confining a plasma of electrons and ions in a nuclear fusion energy generating device. In this embodiment, a complete energy generating device is composed of six identical modules, spaced close together in the shape of a cube. The modules confine the plasma inside a cubical enclosure, compress it to high density, and heat it to high temperature. The embodiment of the module is robust and easy to maintain. Other embodiments are described and shown.

Modular apparatus for confining a plasma

Light guides (1) capable of encoding the transverse and longitudinal coordinates of light emission induced by the interaction of photons in an array of a plurality of the light guides. Each light guide has at least two discrete crystal segments (4) adjacently disposed along a common longitudinal axis of the light guide (1). Between adjacent segments is a boundary layer (7) having less light transmission than the light transmission of the crystal segments (4). A light absorbing mask (8) increases light adsorption in a segment (4). Photons enter the light guide (1) and cause the emission of scintillation light which is delivered in different and resolvable quantities to light sensing devices. The differences in quantity of delivered light is caused by successive decreases in light in part by the boundary layers (7). The differences in quantity of light establish the segment from which the light emission took place.

Segmented scintillation detector for encoding the coordinates of photon

A method of calibrating multi-crystal, single block radiation detectors for use in positron emission tomography and other devices with multi-crystal, single block radiation detectors that are used to determine gamma ray distribution. The detector units are individually subjected to a gamma ray flood source wherein the gamma ray has an energy in excess of about 0.7 MeV, and preferably above about 1.0 MeV. Energies of up to about 10 MeV are usable with the calibration method, with higher energies giving rise to containment and handling problems because of the energy. The light produced within each of the crystals is converted to electrical signals through, for example, photomultiplier tubes. These signals are used to generate a lookup map, this map providing information as to the correct positioning and response of each crystal in the array of crystals of the block detector. The method is useful for detector blocks of of many sizes that are divided into arrays of a large number of crystals.

Method of calibrating multi-crystal single block radiation detectors

An apparatus and method are provided for determining the X, Y and Z positions of a point of gamma ray induced light emission in a pattern of a plurality of scintillating light guides. A plurality of spatially separated, scintillating, crystal, light guides are arrayed in a pattern having known X and Y positions with each of the light guides having a gamma ray receiving end, a light transmitting end, and walls therebetween. A light reflective surface is disposed on at least a portion of the walls having light reflectivity such that a total fraction of light passing through a transmitting end is substantially greater for gamma ray induced light emissions closer to the transmitting end and substantially less for emissions closer to the receiving end. One or more photodetectors are disposed in register with ends of the light guides such that light transmitted therethrough is intercepted by the photodetectors and a detector device determines the excited light guide to thereby establish the X and Y positions of the light within the pattern of light guides. A measuring device is responsive to intercepted light for determining the amount of light and from that determined amount of light determining the position from the transmitting end to the point of induced light emission in the excited light guide, to thereby establish the Z position of the gamma ray induced light within the pattern of light guides.

Gamma ray detector for three-dimensional position encoding

An apparatus and method for determining the amount of nitrogen in an object. A support means is provided for supporting the object, and at least one gamma ray beam is disposed on one side of the support for producing a beam of about 9.2 MeV gamma rays and in sufficient intensity to cause measurable resonant absorption by .sup.14 N in the nitrogenous compounds. A directing device is disposed between the gamma ray beam and the support for directing the gamma ray beam to the support at a predetermined angle, such that the gamma ray beam forms a path which encounters at least a portion of the object when disposed on the support. An array of gamma ray detectors are disposed on an opposite side of the support for detecting gamma rays of about 9.2 MeV transmitted through the object at both resonant and non-resonant angles. A computation device computes the difference in the amount of transmitted gamma rays detected by the detectors at the resonant angles and non-resonant angles, and the difference is related to the amount of nitrogenous compounds in the object.

Nitrogen detector and method of detecting

A novel 3-D encoding scintillation camera which has improved light collection and internal light spreading properties which enhance its use in the field of nuclear medicine is disclosed. The scintillation camera, which is useful for human organ imaging, comprises: (a) a scintillator means of thickness coordinated to correspond generally with the energy of gamma-rays received; (b) photodetector means for detecting the scintillation photons; (c) background light filter means positioned between the scintillator means and the plurality of photodetectors; (d) analog-to-digital converter network means capable of processing pulses from the plurality of photodetectors; and (e) means for analyzing each scintillation event before storing the information in a digital memory. Reflecting means capable of transmitting gamma-rays and reflecting the resulting light photons at about a 180.degree. angle may be optically coupled to the entrance face of the scintillator means.

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Vancouver, Canada

Joel Guild Rogers