Patent Number: 050341839
Section: summary

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to a method and apparatus for increasing the number of collisions between particles in a self-colliding beam. 2. Description of the Prior Art Self-colliding particle beams hold promise for many applications which depend on nuclear reactions. Colliding beams are presently used in high-energy physics research but the rates of collision which have been achieved are too low by several orders of magnitude for applications such as the efficient production of: energy; PA0 neutrons; PA0 tritium; and PA0 anti-matter Many attempts have been made in the national nuclear fusion energy program to produce nuclear reactions by heating electrical plasma discharges but, thus far, such attempts have not resulted in satisfactory reaction rates. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,024 to Maglich and Menasian there is shown an apparatus and method for obtaining a self-colliding beam of charged particles operating above the space charge limit. The present invention is intended to operate independently or supplementary to the device of the Maglich and Menasian invention and the disclosure of that reference is hereby incorporated by reference. Self-colliding particle beams are described in this application, as well as in the aforementioned patent of Maglich and Menasian. Such self-colliding particle beams give promise of combining the favorable features of colliding beams and hot plasma. If such features can be successfully combined, it may be possible to achieve nuclear reaction rates high enough to enable construction of practical nuclear reaction devices employing these concepts. Such devices may well provide viable energy sources, particularly energy sources free of neutrons and radioactive byproducts. Such devices may also be employed as breeders of nuclear fuel, intense neutron generators, or in the production of radioisotopes. Many other applications will be apparent to those familiar with the applications of nuclear reactions. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for the self-colliding of a charged particle beam, said apparatus comprising a beam of charged particles contained within a focusing field around an axis of symmetry within an evacuated region, the combination with said apparatus of a magnetic field of suitable geometry also within said evacuated region and surrounding said axis of symmetry and wherein said magnetic field serves to redirect charged particles back to the axis thereby increasing the collisions of the charges particles. According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of increasing the collisions of charged particles in an apparatus for the self-colliding of a charged particle beam, said apparatus comprising a beam of charged particles contained within a focusing field around an axis of symmetry within an evacuated field, i) providing a magnetic field of suitable geometry also within said evacuated region and surrounding said axis of symmetry and ii) redirecting charged particles back to the axis of symmetry by means of said magnetic field, thereby increasing the collisions of the charged particles.