Patent Number: 046506306
Section: abstract

Two ion beams are accelerated on coincident paths in high vacuum with particle velocity vectors at 180.degree. relative to one another to increase collison and fusion probabilities. The ion beams may be of the same or of different polarities and may both be the same isotope, or may be respectively of deuterium and tritium. A heat exchange fluid such as liquid lithium is in heat exchange contact with the vacuum chamber to remove energy generated by fusion reactions between colliding and fusing particles of the two beams. The velocity vectors of the beams are controlled over a narrow range in both magnitude and direction so that there is sufficient energy to encourage the fusion reaction but not so high as to cause the particles to have elastic collisions. The intersecting or coincident beams may move linearly toward one another or may move in identical circular paths having the identical geometry or paths which intersect at at least one point.