Plasma magneto-inertial fusion arrangement that compensates for timing variations among pulsed power-driven electromagnetic particle accelerators

Abstract

A method for plasma magneto-inertial fusion. A trigger breakdown time is determined for each of a plurality of solid-state switch arrays by measuring a duration time from initiation of a control signal to plasma formation for each of a plurality of pulsed power driven electromagnetic particle accelerators. The particle accelerators are positioned to converge corresponding plasma discharges towards a parametrically defined volume. A timing profile is generated for each of the particle accelerators based on the trigger breakdown times. Timing offsets are determined for each of the switch arrays based on their trigger breakdown time to compensate for timing variations among the particle accelerators. The switch arrays are triggered in accordance with their timing offsets to converge the corresponding plasma discharges towards the defined volume.