Laser fusion system

Abstract

In one example, the utility model provides a laser fusion system, which comprises a reactor, a fusion material in an internal area of the reactor, and a high-intensity pulse laser generating system formed by axial-radial spatial arrangement of a laser cavity area in the reactor. The laser fusion system provides sufficient energy to ignite and maintain fusion energy within the reactor, with the advantage of generating fusion energy with efficient size, weight, and cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to fusion energy generation technology. In particular, the present invention provides a system and method for fusion energy using a high-intensity pulsed laser generation system, and related methods. By way of example only, the present invention can be applied to a variety of applications, including power generation, spacecraft, travel, other air, land and water vehicles, defense applications (e.g., satellites, aerospace, land and missile defense, submarines, ships), biotechnology, chemistry, machinery, electrical and communications and / or data applications. Background Art

[0002] Since the beginning of time, humans have developed energy from natural materials such as wood, coal, oil and gas products. Renewable energy sources, including nuclear power, wind power, hydroelectric power and solar power, hold great promise. However, this renewable energy source has other disadvantages. Wind only works when it blows. Solar power cannot be used when the sun goes down. Hydroelectric power is limited to areas with water, and nuclear power, while promising, has major problems with waste production and unreliable and dangerous reactors. Another promising energy source is fusion power.

[0003] Fusion energy is a type of energy generation that occurs when two atomic nuclei fuse together, releasing large amounts of energy in the process. It is considered a potential source of clean and abundant energy because the fuel for fusion reactions (mainly hydrogen) is abundant on Earth and the reactions do not produce greenhouse gases or other harmful pollutants.

[0004] There are two main methods to achieve fusion reactions: inertial confinement fusion (ICF) and magnetic confinement fusion (MCF).

[0005] Inertial confinement fusion (ICF) involves using high-energy lasers or particle beams to compress and heat a small ball of hydrogen fuel, causing it to melt. The fuel is usually a mixture of two isotopes of hydrogen, deuterium and tritium. The fuel is contained in a small spherical capsule called a hohlraum, which is placed in the center of a chamber filled with a high-energy laser or particle beam. When the laser or particle beam is directed at the hohlraum, they create a uniform layer of x-rays, which uniformly heats and compresses the fuel inside the hohlraum. This causes the fuel to reach the temperature and pressure conditions required for fusion to occur.

[0006] The main advantage of ICF is that it can potentially produce fusion reactions with relatively little fuel and at relatively low cost. However, the process is still in the experimental stage and there are significant technical challenges before it can be considered a practical energy source.

[0007] Magnetic confinement fusion (MCF) involves using strong magnetic fields to contain and heat a plasma (a hot, ionized gas) of hydrogen fuel, causing it to fuse. The most common type of MCF, called tokamak fusion, uses a toroidal (donut-shaped) chamber to contain the plasma. The plasma is held in the center of the chamber by a strong magnetic field, which is created by passing an electric current through a set of coils around the chamber. The plasma is heated by injecting energy into the chamber via particle beams or electromagnetic waves.

[0008] The main advantage of MCF is that it has the potential to produce fusion reactions on a larger scale, making it more suitable for generating electricity. However, it is a more complex and expensive process than ICF, and there are still significant technical challenges to overcome before it can be considered a practical energy source.

[0009] Both ICF and MCF have made significant progress in recent years, with several experimental facilities around the world investigating these technologies. However, achieving sustained fusion reactions with net energy production (meaning that the energy produced by the fusion reaction is greater than the energy required to initiate and sustain the reaction) remains a significant technical challenge.

[0010] There are other fusion energy approaches being explored, such as magnetized target fusion and muon-catalyzed fusion. However, these approaches are still in the early stages of development, and it is not yet clear whether they are viable as energy sources.

[0011] In summary, fusion energy has the potential to be a clean and abundant energy source, but significant technological challenges must be overcome before it can be considered a practical energy source. Utility Model Content

[0012] According to the present invention, a technology generally related to fusion energy generation is provided. In particular, the present invention provides a system and method for generating fusion energy using a high intensity pulse or continuous wave (CW) laser system, and related methods.

[0013] In one example, the utility model provides a laser fusion system. The system has a reactor shell, the reactor shell includes an inner area maintained in a vacuum environment. The reactor shell forms a vacuum chamber. The system has a reaction area near the spatial center area of ​​the reactor shell and a peripheral area formed inside the reactor shell, the peripheral area surrounding the reaction area.

[0014] In one example, the system has a plurality of cavity regions (e.g., optical cavity regions) numbered 1 to N within an interior region of the reactor housing (e.g., a circular, dome-shaped, or other shaped structure) and spatially arranged around the peripheral region such that each of the plurality of cavity regions extends from a first side of the peripheral region to a second side of the peripheral region. Preferably, the first side is opposite the second side along a straight line and forms a linear path along a diameter of the interior region. In one example, the plurality of cavity regions form a huband spoke configuration. Each cavity region has a central region concentric with the reactor region, and each cavity region has a first end coupled to the first side of the peripheral region and a second end coupled to the second side of the peripheral region. In one example, N is greater than 10 and can be 100, 200, or several thousand, although there may be fewer cavities in other examples.

[0015] In one example, a pair of mirrors are respectively arranged at the first end and the second end of the cavity region. In one example, the laser light source is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation coupled to at least one of the pair of mirrors, so that the energy intensity of the laser beam propagating from the laser light source between the pair of mirrors increases from a first intensity to a second intensity and then to an Mth intensity in M ​​cycles of the laser beam propagating between the pair of mirrors, for example, where M is greater than 1000 cycles, although it can be less or more.

[0016] In one example, the system has a fuel pellet or a container including the fuel pellet therein, the fuel pellet or the container being disposed within the reaction region and coupled to the plurality of cavity regions when each of the plurality of cavity regions spatially intersects within the reaction region to provide an energy level sufficient to ignite the fuel pellet for a fusion reaction.

[0017] In one example, the utility model provides a laser fusion system. The system has a reactor shell having an internal area maintained in a vacuum environment. In one example, the system has at least one pair of hole areas spatially arranged along the periphery of the reactor shell, the hole size of each hole area being A, and a reaction area near the spatial center area of ​​the reactor shell. In one example, the reaction area is characterized by a reactor length extending along the main cross-section of the reaction area. In one example, at least one cavity area is connected to the reaction area, so that the optical cavity area is spatially arranged to pass through the reaction area, configured to pass through the pair of hole areas relative to each other, and extend to the outside of the reaction area. In one example, a pair of mirrors are respectively arranged at the first end and the second end of the cavity area, and each mirror has a mirror size of W. The laser light source is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation coupled to one of the pair of mirrors such that an energy intensity of a laser beam propagating from the laser light source between the pair of mirrors in the cavity region increases from a first intensity to a second intensity to an Mth intensity over M cycles of propagation of the laser beam between the pair of mirrors, wherein M is greater than 1000 cycles. In one example, the system has a fuel pellet or a container including the fuel pellet therein, the fuel pellet or the container being disposed within the reaction region and coupled to the cavity region to provide an energy level sufficient to ignite the fuel pellet for a fusion reaction, and a W / A ratio of at least 2 to 500, configured to reduce any damage to one of the mirrors by reducing the aperture size to a predetermined size to prevent radiation from a fusion reaction generated at the center of the reaction region from interacting with the mirror through the cavity region.

[0018] According to an example, the present invention can achieve one or more of these benefits and / or advantages. In one example, the present invention provides a fusion energy system and related methods, which include a high-intensity pulse or CW laser system, which is configured with a reactor in a compact and space-efficient system. In one example, the high-intensity pulse or CW laser system provides enough energy to ignite and maintain fusion energy within the reactor. In one example, the present invention provides the advantages of using the high-intensity laser to produce fusion energy through effective size, weight and cost. These and other benefits and / or advantages can be achieved using the present device and related methods. Other details of these benefits and / or advantages can be found in this specification, and more specifically, can be found below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1is a simplified diagram of a laser fusion system according to an example of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 It is a simplified diagram of a laser fusion system with a cavity length of 30 m and a high-power pulse laser of 100 kJ with a frequency of 50 Hz according to an example of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 The example according to the utility model is shown Figure 2 A simplified timing diagram of a laser fusion system showing a cavity length of 30 m and a high-power pulsed laser of 100 kJ at 50 Hz.

[0022] Figure 4 is a simplified diagram of a black cavity device according to an example of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 5 The example according to the utility model is shown Figure 2 A simplified timing diagram of a laser fusion system showing a cavity length of 30 m and a high-power pulsed laser of 100 kJ at a frequency of 10 Hz.

[0024] Figure 6 It is a simplified diagram of a laser fusion system with a cavity length of 150 m and a high-power pulse laser of 100 kJ at a frequency of 10 Hz according to an example of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 7 The example according to the utility model is shown Figure 6 A simplified timing diagram of a laser fusion system showing a cavity length of 150 m and a high-power pulsed laser of 100 kJ at a frequency of 10 Hz.

[0026] Figure 8 is a simplified diagram of a laser fusion system according to an example of the present invention, the laser fusion system including a mirror coupled to a cavity length that is longer than the diameter length of the inner reactor vessel.

[0027] Fig. 9 is a simplified diagram of a laser fusion system according to an example of the present invention, the laser fusion system including a pair of mirrors coupled to a cavity length that is longer than the diameter length of the inner reactor vessel.

[0028] Fig.10 is a simplified diagram of a fusion reactor configured for generating electricity according to an example of the present invention.

[0029] Fig.11 is a more detailed schematic diagram of a fusion reactor according to an example of the present invention.

[0030] Fig.12It is a detailed schematic diagram of a timing device for a fusion system in an example of the utility model.

[0031] Fig.13 It is a timing diagram for generating high-intensity pulsed laser in an example of the utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In one example, according to the present invention, technology generally related to fusion energy generation is provided. In particular, the present invention provides a system and method for fusion energy using a high-intensity pulsed or CW laser generation system, and related methods. By way of example only, the present invention can be applied to a variety of applications, including power generation, spacecraft, travel, other air, land and water vehicles, defense applications (e.g., satellites, aerospace, land and missile defense, submarines, ships), biotechnology, chemistry, machinery, electrical and communications and / or data applications.

[0033] Figure 1 It is a simplified diagram of a laser fusion system according to an example of the utility model. As shown in the figure, the system has multiple or N Fabry Perot resonant cavities, each of which is defined between a pair of mirrors opposite to each other. In one example, these cavities are configured in a reactor shell. The reactor shell is maintained in a vacuum environment. Each cavity has a laser light source coupled to one end and a photodiode (or detector) coupled to the other end. Each cavity intersects in the central area to form a hub-and-spoke configuration. In one example, as shown in the figure, the system has a fuel pellet or black cavity supply (or delivery) device. For high-power pulsed lasers, each laser light source is synchronized to interact with (or hit the fuel pellets) in the reaction area or center of the reactor shell. Sensing systems such as laser radar (LIDAR, for example, light detection and ranging) and cameras can be used in combination with laser light sources to synchronously transmit high-power pulsed lasers to fuel pellets, thereby starting fusion reactions. Other details of this system can be found in this specification, and more specifically, can be found below.

[0034] Figure 2 is a simplified diagram of a laser fusion system according to an example of the utility model. The system has a cavity length of 30 meters and uses a light source configured for 5MHz and 1 joule. As shown in the figure, the system has a reactor housing, which includes an internal area maintained in a vacuum environment, a plurality of cavities, each cavity formed between a pair of mirrors. Each pair of mirrors has a laser light source at one end and a photodetector at the other end. As shown in the figure, the system has a pellet supply (or delivery) device or a black cavity supply (or delivery) device.

[0035] In one example, the reactor housing is a vacuum chamber. In one example, a vacuum chamber is a sealed, airtight container that is used to create a vacuum, or an area with very low pressure. The interior of the cavity is evacuated (or emptied), which is an ideal condition for increasing the intensity of pulsed or CW laser power. In one example, when there is air or other impurities in the cavity, the particles and water in the air absorb or scatter the laser, and the intensity of the laser decreases as the laser propagates in the cavity. In a preferred example, the cavity is maintained in a vacuum.

[0036] The vacuum chamber is usually made of vacuum-resistant, high-temperature-resistant and radiation-resistant materials, such as stainless steel, aluminum or other materials. It is designed to withstand the high radiation and high temperature generated during the fusion reaction, as well as the strong radiation emitted by the fusion products.

[0037] In one example, the vacuum chamber is a component of the fusion reactor because it helps create the conditions necessary to increase the laser power in the present invention. It also helps protect the fusion reaction from external influences, such as air and other contaminants, which can interfere with the reaction and the laser propagation. In one example, the vacuum environment can range from less than 10 -5 Thor to 10 -3 Thor. Of course, there can be other variations, modifications, and alternatives.

[0038] The laser light source is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation coupled to at least one of the pair of mirrors so that an energy intensity of a laser beam propagating from the laser light source between the pair of mirrors increases from a first intensity to a second intensity to an Mth intensity during M cycles of the laser beam propagating between the pair of mirrors, wherein M is greater than 1000 cycles.

[0039] To create a vacuum in the reactor housing, the vacuum chamber is evacuated using a high-capacity pump that removes all air and other gases from the vacuum chamber. This process is called evacuating the chamber, and it usually takes several hours or longer to reach the desired vacuum level, depending on the size of the chamber. Once the vacuum is reached, the laser light source is turned on, and the pulsed or CW laser power is increased in each of the total number of N cavities. Fuel pellets or containers including fuel pellets are injected through the tube, and the fusion reaction can begin. As shown in the figure, in the present invention, N pairs of Fabry-Perot cavities enhance the pulsed laser or CW laser inside the reactor housing.

[0040] In one example, the system has a reaction zone near the spatial center region of the reactor housing. As shown in the figure, the reaction zone is located in the center region. The center region shows the intersection between multiple cavity regions.

[0041] As shown, the system has a peripheral region formed inside the reactor shell. The peripheral region surrounds the reaction region and is preferably arranged along the maximum diameter inside the reactor shell. As shown, the system has a plurality of cavity regions, which are numbered 1 to N in the inner region of the reactor shell and are spatially arranged around the peripheral region, so that each of the plurality of cavity regions extends from a first side of the peripheral region to a second side of the peripheral region. Preferably, the first side is opposite to the second side along a straight line and forms a linear path along the diameter of the inner region. In one example, the plurality of cavity regions form a hub-and-spoke configuration. Each cavity region has a central region concentric with the reaction region, and each cavity region has a first end coupled to the first side of the peripheral region and a second end coupled to the second side of the peripheral region. In one example, N is greater than 10 and can be 100, 200 or thousands, although there may be fewer cavities in other examples. Each laser light source is synchronized with other light sources, a fuel pellet delivery system, and a photodetector for high-power pulsed lasers to hit fuel pellets or containers in the reaction region.

[0042] As shown in the figure, a pair of mirrors are respectively arranged at the first end and the second end of the cavity area. Each pair of mirrors is spatially arranged along the peripheral area in the reactor shell. As shown in the figure, the system uses any combination of high-reflection flat and curved optical mirror devices with a reflectivity greater than 99.99% or 99.999% to minimize optical losses. In one example, a high-reflection optical mirror is a device that reflects light in a specific direction. The device has a flat or curved surface and is coated with a high-reflection material, such as a dielectric material. A preferred high-reflection optical mirror is a dielectric distributed Brag reflector (DBR). In one example, the shape and curvature of the mirror determine the direction and intensity of the reflected light.

[0043] In the present invention, all high-intensity laser beams are focused to a small spot at the center of the reactor or reaction area to obtain the highest laser power density at the center by multiplying the laser intensity by M times at each cavity and gathering all the N high-intensity laser beams. In each cavity including a pair of mirrors, the laser light source is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation coupled to at least one of the pair of mirrors, so that the energy intensity of the laser beam propagating from the laser light source between the pair of mirrors increases from the first intensity to the second intensity and then to the Mth intensity during the M cycles of the laser beam propagating between the pair of mirrors.

[0044] In one example, the laser light source is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation and form a high-power laser beam through each Fabry-Perot cavity inside the reactor. In one example, the system couples a high-power pulse or CW laser system to a fusion reactor to generate a high-power energy source to start and sustain fusion reactions. For example, laser fusion is a process of generating energy through the fusion of atomic nuclei. This process occurs when the nuclei of two or more atoms come together and collide at high temperature and pressure, causing them to fuse together and release a large amount of energy. In the laser fusion process in one example, a high-energy laser beam is used to compress and heat a small piece of fuel, usually a mixture of deuterium and tritium (two isotopes of hydrogen). The laser beam generates a shock wave that compresses the fuel by implosion, causing it to reach a sufficiently high temperature and pressure, so that fusion occurs. In the fusion process, the nuclei of the fuel atoms combine to form heavier nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy in the form of light, momentum and heat. As previously described, this energy can then be utilized and used to generate electricity by using a generator. Further details of the present fusion system, and in particular the high power laser, are provided throughout the present specification, and particularly below.

[0045] For example, a high power laser is a device that produces a highly concentrated and focused beam of light with high power levels. The light produced by a high power laser can have a variety of properties, such as wavelength, intensity, and coherence, depending on the specific design and construction of the laser.

[0046] One type of high-power laser is a solid-state laser, which is made with a solid gain medium that is pumped by an external energy source, such as a flash lamp or another laser. The gain medium is typically a crystal, ceramic, or glass rod doped with a rare earth element, such as neodymium or ytterbium, to amplify the laser beam. Solid-state lasers are highly efficient and can produce high-power outputs, making them ideal for many industrial and scientific applications.

[0047] Another type of high power laser is the gas laser, which uses a gas as a gain medium. Gas lasers can be further classified based on the type of gas used, such as HeNe lasers, CO2 lasers, and Argon lasers. Gas lasers are very reliable and have a long lifetime, making them suitable for continuous operation.

[0048] High-power lasers can also be a combination of the two types mentioned above, such as fiber lasers that use doped fibers as the gain medium. Fiber lasers are very efficient and can produce high-power outputs, making them ideal for many industrial and scientific applications.

[0049] There are many factors that affect the performance and efficiency of high-power lasers, such as gain medium, pump source, resonator design, and cooling system. The design and construction of a high-power laser can significantly affect its performance and suitability for a particular application. For example, a high-power laser is a highly concentrated and focused beam of light with high power levels used in a wide range of applications.

[0050] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a high intensity pulse or CW laser generation system. In one embodiment, a high intensity pulse or CW laser is a laser that produces a highly concentrated and focused beam with a high power level. The short pulse duration of the high intensity pulse laser allows for high peak power and can deliver high peak energy to a target in a very short period of time.

[0051] In one example, one type of high-intensity pulsed laser is a Q-switched laser, which uses a mechanical or electro-optic modulator to rapidly switch the laser beam on and off. This allows the laser to produce very short pulses, with pulse durations ranging from nanoseconds to picoseconds. Q-switched lasers are very efficient and can produce very high peak powers, making them ideal for many industrial and scientific applications. Another type of high-intensity pulsed laser is a mode-locked laser, which uses nonlinear optical elements (such as saturable absorbers or passive mode lockers) to produce short pulses. Mode-locked lasers can produce very short pulses, with pulse durations ranging from femtoseconds to picoseconds. They are very stable and can produce very high peak powers, making them ideal for many scientific and research applications.

[0052] There are many factors that affect the performance and efficiency of high-intensity pulsed or CW lasers, such as gain media, pump sources, resonator design, and pulse generation methods. The design and construction of high-intensity pulsed or CW lasers can significantly affect their performance and suitability for specific applications. In one example, a high-intensity pulsed laser is a laser that produces a highly concentrated and focused beam with a high level of power and a very short pulse duration. It has a wide range of applications. In one example, the utility model provides a high-intensity pulsed or CW laser generation system and related methods, as described throughout this specification and described in more detail below.

[0053] As shown, the laser light source is coupled to at least one of the pair of mirrors so that the energy intensity of the laser beam propagating from the laser light source between the pair of mirrors increases from a first intensity to a second intensity to an Mth intensity during M cycles of the laser beam propagating between the pair of mirrors. In one example, M is greater than 1000 cycles, although it may be less or more.

[0054] As shown, there are several types of highly reflective optical mirrors, each with specific properties and uses. A flat mirror, also known as a plane mirror, has a flat reflective surface and is used to reflect light in a straight line. In one example, a concave mirror has a reflective surface that curves inward and is used to focus light to a single point. In the present invention, a concave mirror is included to focus a high-power laser to the center of the reactor. In one example, a convex mirror has a reflective surface that curves outward and is used to disperse light to a wider area to reduce the concentration of laser power on the mirror surface and avoid optical damage. In one example, the optical mirror can also be coated with a dedicated coating, such as a dielectric coating or a metal coating, to enhance their reflective properties and reduce surface defects, which cause optical absorption, thereby causing optical damage. These coatings can improve the efficiency and performance of the mirror, making it suitable for specific applications.

[0055] In one example, the system has a fuel pellet or a container including the fuel pellet inside, the fuel pellet or the container is arranged in the reaction area and coupled to the plurality of cavity areas when each of the plurality of cavity areas intersects spatially in the reaction area to provide an energy level sufficient to ignite the fuel pellet for fusion reaction. A pipe or other fuel supply guide assembly is configured from the fuel pellet or container supply device to the reaction area. In one example, the container is a black chamber, which will be described in more detail below.

[0056] In one example, the position of the fuel pellets or containers is monitored by a lidar and camera and fed back to a computer to synchronize all the laser sources, the signals of the photodiodes located on the back of the mirrors, and the fuel pellet or container transport.

[0057] In one example, the system uses multiple high energy pulsed or CW lasers configured in a vacuum chamber to achieve a total energy of 1 megajoule (MJ) to 20 MJ, 10 terawatts (TW) to 10 petawatts (PW) or more. The cavity length can be 20 meters to 10 kilometers, but can be shorter or longer in other examples. In one example, the frequency of delivering the pellets or containers to the reaction area can be about 1 Hz to 50 Hz, and more or less. Each laser light source can have a power of 0.01 joule to 100 joules, and a frequency of 100 KHz to 100 megahertz.

[0058] For reference Figure 2 and Figure 3With a cavity length of 30 meters, the round trip time of the laser beam is 0.2 microseconds. The frequency of the laser light source becomes 5MHz (=1 / (0.2 microseconds)). When the pulse energy of the laser light source is 1 joule, after the laser beam propagates 100,000 times between each pair of mirrors, assuming that the mirror loss is ignored as shown in the figure, a total energy of 100 kilojoules is ideally obtained in the cavity area with a repetition frequency of 50Hz. For 200 pairs of mirrors or cavities, we obtain a total energy of 20 megajoules in the reaction area. The repetition frequency of the 20 megajoule high-power pulse becomes 50Hz.

[0059] In one example, the tube has an opening or output near the reaction zone. In one example, the fuel pellets or black cavity must be supplied to the center of the reaction zone at a repetition frequency of 50 Hz, which is synchronized with the frequency of 50 Hz high power pulses of all cavities to produce fusion reactions. In one example, the distance between the opening to the reaction zone ranges from 0.01 mm to 1 m, and preferably from 0.01 mm to 20 mm.

[0060] In one example, the distance between the opening to the reaction area is small to keep the black cavity balanced within the spatial contour without tilting. In one example, the shape of the inside of the tube has been configured to fit the shape of the black cavity to guide the black cavity into the opening by maintaining the same spatial contour and balance. Through the opening of the tube, the black cavity is injected into the central area or reaction area of ​​the reactor by maintaining balance without any tilt, so that all high-power laser beams aimed at the two openings of the black cavity are irradiated to the surface inside the black cavity to generate X-rays through the two openings of the black cavity, as further described below. If the distance becomes larger, the balance or spatial contour of the black cavity is broken and tilted, and the high-power laser beam is not irradiated through the two openings of the black cavity as further described. In one example, due to the pressure difference between the tube opening area and the fuel pellet conveying device or the black cavity conveying device, the pellets or black cavity are sucked into the reaction area at high speed.

[0061] In the example of using a black cavity, when a 5 mm diameter black cavity begins to touch the Fabry-Perot cavity at the intersection point, all the high-power lasers at the intersection point are focused into a small spot at the center of the reactor or the reaction area, and a speed of 50 km / s is ideal. For a 30 meter cavity length, the round trip time of the laser beam is 0.2 microseconds. When the black cavity passes through the center of the cavity, the subsequent laser beam pulse arrives within 0.1 microseconds. The black cavity passes through the cavity before the next pulse of laser is obtained. Therefore, a speed greater than 50 km / s (5 mm / 0.1 microsecond = 50 km / s) is desired.

[0062] In another example, fuel pellets are injected from a tube as fuel to produce a direct fusion reaction (without X-ray irradiation from a black cavity), and the velocity of the pellets is greater than 10 km / sec (1 mm / 0.1 μsec=10 km / sec). Thus, a high energy pulse of 100 kJ, 50 Hz frequency, and 30 m cavity length is shown.

[0063] In one example, the high velocity of the hohlraum or pellet can be from 0.5 km / s to 60 km / s, but preferably in the range of 2-50 km / s, depending on the size of the hohlraum or pellet passing through the Fabry-Perot cavity at the center of the reactor. If the cavity length is greater than 1.5 km and the round trip time is greater than 10 microseconds, the high velocity range can be less than 1 km / s. Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize other changes, modifications and alternatives.

[0064] Figure 4 It is a simplified diagram of a black cavity device according to an example of the utility model. As shown in the figure, the black cavity device encloses the fuel pellet inside. In one example, the black cavity is a hollow cylindrical cavity that is used as a radiation source or energy source in a fusion reactor. It is usually made of a high-Z material (such as gold or tungsten) that absorbs and re-emits high-energy photons (such as X-rays). The black cavity is used to create conditions for fusion to occur, such as high temperature and high pressure, by irradiating the interior with a high-power laser to generate X-rays and irradiating the fuel pellet cells with X-rays. This process is called indirect drive fusion, and it is commonly used in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) systems.

[0065] In an ICF fusion reactor, the black cavity contains a fuel tank, which contains deuterium and tritium inside. As shown in the figure, when the inner wall of the black cavity is irradiated with high-energy photons (high-power lasers), the high-energy laser irradiation produces X-rays, which then heat the fuel tank to the point where the deuterium and tritium nuclei fuse together, releasing a large amount of energy in the process. The energy released by the fusion reaction is then used to generate electricity, which can be used to power homes and businesses. Instead of deuterium and tritium, other low-Z materials can be applied, such as helium, lithium, and boron.

[0066] The design of the hohlraum is important to the success of the fusion reaction because it determines the conditions under which the fuel tank is irradiated. To achieve the ideal fusion conditions, factors such as the size and shape of the hohlraum, the materials used to build the hohlraum, and the intensity and duration of the photon irradiation must be carefully considered.

[0067] The hohlraum may be surrounded by conductive coils that generate a magnetic field during the implosion process to enhance the confinement of the high-density and high-temperature plasma.

[0068] If the laser-induced implosion pressure is high enough to suppress the various instabilities in the implosion process, the fuel pellet unit can implode to ignite a nuclear fusion reaction without a black cavity. This process is called direct drive fusion.

[0069] There are various types of three-dimensional designs of hohlraum: cylindrical, spherical and hemispherical, with a hole to receive high-power pulsed laser light.

[0070] Using a cavity length of 30m and a reactor of the same size, a high-power pulsed laser of 100kJ was obtained as described above, with a frequency of 50Hz. For other applications, 10Hz is desirable for continuous laser fusion to continuously provide sufficient energy. Other details of the examples of the utility model can be found in this specification, more specifically, can be found below.

[0071] refer to Figure 5 , we demonstrated a high-power pulsed laser with a frequency of 10Hz using a 30-meter short cavity. As a laser light source, it includes a frequency of 1MHz (a pulse repetition frequency of 0.1 microseconds) and a pulse energy of 1 joule. The round-trip time of the 30-meter cavity is 0.2 microseconds. During the 5M cycles of the laser beam propagating between the pair of mirrors, the pulse energy in the cavity increases from the first intensity to the second intensity and then to the Mth intensity every five round trips. As shown in the figure, through a total of 500,000 round trips, the input pulse energy of 1 joule becomes 100 kilojoules.

[0072] Figure 6 and Figure 7 A high power pulsed laser with a repetition rate of 10 Hz is shown with 100,000 round trips. As discussed, a 30 meter cavity requires 500,000 round trips to obtain a high power pulse of 100 kJ with a frequency of 10 Hz from a 1 Joule laser source. The additional 400,000 round trips contribute to the increased loss of the cavity. As shown in the figure, a high power pulsed laser with a repetition rate of 10 Hz is obtained with a 150 meter long cavity by 100,000 round trips.

[0073] For a cavity length of 150 meters, the round trip time of the laser beam is 1 microsecond. The frequency of the laser light source is 1 MHz (=1 / (1 microsecond)). When the pulse energy of the laser light source is 1 joule, after the laser beam propagates 100,000 times between each pair of mirrors, assuming that the loss of the mirrors is ignored, a total energy of 100 kilojoules with a repetition frequency of 10 Hz is obtained in the cavity area (ideally). Using 200 pairs of mirrors or cavities, the system obtains a total energy of 20 megajoules in the reaction area. The repetition frequency of the 100 kilojoule high-power pulse is 10 Hz.

[0074] As shown in the example, one (1) Joule-class laser source is included. For example, the laser source is configured for 1060nm, but can be other wavelengths, such as 530nm and 350nm. The length of the laser pulse is ten (10) nanoseconds or 1 to 10 nanoseconds. The period is 1 microsecond (or 1MHz). In one example, one hundred thousand (100,000) cycles or round trips generate a 100 kilojoule high-power laser pulse in a cavity according to the present invention. For example, the cavity length is one hundred and fifty (150) meters, which is equivalent to a round-trip cavity length of three hundred (300) meters. The round-trip time is 1 microsecond, and 0.1 seconds produces one hundred thousand round trips. As Figure 6 As shown, for one hundred thousand round trips, we generate 1×10 at ten (10) Hz 13 Watts (or 10 terawatts) or a pulse energy of one hundred (100) kilojoules. When two hundred laser beams are used together in a fusion reactor, twenty (20) megajoules are obtained. In one example, for continuous laser fusion or commercially available laser fusion to continuously provide sufficient power, megajoule pulses with a repetition rate of 10 Hz are required. Using the present invention, megajoule pulses with a repetition rate of 10 Hz can be generated by using the present system and method. Currently, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory can only produce one megajoule pulse per day.

[0075] In one example, the tube has an opening or output near the reaction area. The fuel pellets or black cavity are supplied to the center or reaction zone of the reactor at a repetition frequency of 10 Hz, and the repetition frequency is synchronized with the frequency of 10 Hz of the high-power pulses by concentrating all high-power lasers from each cavity to the center of the reactor to produce a fusion reaction. In one example, the distance between the tube opening and the reaction area ranges from 0.01 mm to 1 m, and preferably from 0.01 mm to 20 mm. This distance is small to maintain the spatial configuration (orientation) and balance of the black cavity without tilting. The shape of the inside of the tube is configured to match the shape of the black cavity to maintain the spatial orientation and balance of the black cavity during the process of guiding the black cavity to the inside of the tube. The black cavity is distributed through the opening of the tube, and the black cavity is injected into the central area of ​​the reactor by maintaining the spatial orientation and balance without any tilt, so that all high-power laser beams aimed at the black cavity are irradiated to the surface inside the black cavity to generate X-rays through the two openings of the black cavity. If the distance from the opening to the reaction zone becomes undesirably larger, the balance of the black cavity cannot be maintained and tilts, and the high-power laser beam is not uniformly irradiated through the two openings of the black cavity, which results in a decrease in the X-ray generation rate and no fusion reaction from the fuel pellet unit.

[0076] In one example, pellets or black cavities are distributed (or sucked) into the reaction zone at high speed due to the pressure difference between the tube opening area and the fuel pellet delivery device or black cavity delivery device. The pellets or black cavities are placed in a tube inside the delivery or supply device at atmospheric pressure and connected to the tube. The delivery or supply device is placed outside the reactor at atmospheric pressure. The gate or valve in the tube separated between the vacuum and atmospheric pressure of the reaction zone is opened, and the fuel pellets or black cavities are transferred to the reaction zone at high speed by suction.

[0077] In one example, when a black cavity with a 5 mm diameter interacts with a Fabry-Perot cavity at the intersection of all high-power lasers, which are focused to a small spot in the center of the reactor, a velocity of 10 km / sec is required. For a 150 meter cavity length, the round trip time of the laser beam is 1 microsecond. When the black cavity passes through the middle of the cavity, the subsequent laser beam arrives within 0.5 microseconds. Before the next pulse of the laser, the black cavity must pass through the cavity area. Black cavity velocities in excess of 10 km / sec (5 mm / 0.5 microsecond = 10 km / sec) are desired.

[0078] In another example, fuel pellets are injected from a tube as fuel to produce a direct fusion reaction using a high power laser without using X-rays from a black cavity, and the velocity of the pellets is greater than 2 km / sec (1 mm / 0.5 microseconds = 2 km / sec). A high energy pulse of 100 kJ, a frequency of 10 Hz, and a cavity length of 150 m is obtained. In one example, the high velocity of the black cavity or pellets can be from 2 km per second to 10 km per second, but preferably greater than 2-10 km per second, depending on the size (diameter) of the black cavity or pellets that intersect the Fabry-Perot cavity in the center or reaction area of ​​the reactor.

[0079] For a cavity length of 150 meters, the round trip time of the laser beam is 1 microsecond. In one example, the frequency of the laser light source is 1 MHz (=1 / (1 microsecond)). When the pulse energy of the laser light source is 1 joule, after the laser beam propagates 100,000 times between each pair of mirrors, assuming that the mirror loss in the cavity area has been neglected, a total energy of 100 kilojoules is ideally achieved, and its repetition frequency is 10 Hz. For 200 pairs of mirrors or cavities, a total energy of 20 megajoules is obtained in the reaction area. The repetition frequency of the 100 kilojoule high-power pulse is 10 Hz.

[0080] In one example, pellets or black cavities are transported (or sucked) into the reaction area at high speed due to the pressure difference between the tube opening area (vacuum) and the fuel pellet transport device or black cavity transport device. The supply device has a pressure of atmospheric pressure. The fuel pellet supply device or black cavity supply device is located outside the vacuum reactor. When a black cavity with a diameter of 5 mm passes through the Fabry-Perot cavity at the intersection point, at which all high-power lasers are focused to a small point in the center of the reactor, a speed of 10 km / sec is required. As mentioned above, for a cavity length of 150 meters, the round-trip time of the laser beam is 1 microsecond. When the black cavity passes through the middle of the cavity, the subsequent laser beam pulse arrives within 0.5 microseconds. Before the next pulse laser, the black cavity passes through the cavity area. Speeds greater than 10 km / sec (5 mm / 0.5 microseconds = 10 km / sec) are desired.

[0081] Instead of a black cavity, fuel pellets are injected from a tube as fuel to produce a direct fusion reaction without using X-ray irradiation from a black cavity, and the velocity of the pellets is greater than 2 km / sec (1 mm / 0.5 μsec=2 km / sec). A high energy pulse of 100 kJ, a frequency of 10 Hz, and a cavity length of 150 m is shown. The high velocity of the black cavity and pellets can be from 10 km per second to 2 km per second, but preferably greater than 2-10 km per second, depending on the size or diameter of the black cavity and pellets of the Fabry-Perot cavity passing through the center of the reactor.

[0082] In the example with a cavity length of 150 meters and a reactor diameter of 150 meters, the advantage of this 150m cavity length is that the high power pulsed laser has a lower repetition rate of 10Hz. Another advantage is that the highly reflective mirror is located at a distance of 75 meters from the center of the reactor, which is far enough from the fusion reaction area to prevent damage to the mirror. In other words, damage to the mirror caused by radiation from the nuclear fusion reaction is reduced.

[0083] Figure 8 1 is a simplified diagram of a laser fusion system according to an example of the present invention, the laser fusion system including a mirror coupled to a cavity length longer than the diameter length of the internal reactor shell. As shown in the figure, the system has a reactor shell (e.g., a chamber), a cover structure, a heat exchange medium, a conveying device, a reaction area, and a plurality of cavity areas. Each cavity area is configured with a pair of mirrors. The laser light source is configured as a mirror, and the photodiode sensing device is configured with another mirror opposite to the laser light source.

[0084] In one example, the reactor chamber can be very small, ranging from 0.5 meters to 10 meters in diameter, but can be smaller or larger. In one example, the cover structure and the heat exchange medium are located inside or outside the small reactor chamber to effectively absorb fusion energy. In one example, as shown in the figure, the mirror is located at 75 meters, which can be more or less away from the center of the small reactor, so that the cavity of 150 meters with a pair of mirrors can realize the high-power pulse of 10Hz with a repetition frequency discussed. In addition, since the mirror is located at a distance of 75 meters from the center of the reactor, the mirror damage caused by the radiation of the fusion reaction at the center of the reactor is reduced. In addition, the volume of the reactor and the cavity area is much smaller than the above example. The vacuum pump is smaller and can reach an ideal vacuum condition in a shorter time frame.

[0085] Fig. 9 1 is a simplified diagram of a laser fusion system according to an example of the present invention, the laser fusion system comprising a pair of mirrors coupled to a cavity length longer than the diameter length of the internal reactor shell. As shown in the figure, the pair of mirrors defines each cavity area. Each cavity extends through a hole area that communicates with the interior of the reaction chamber. Multiple cavities intersect at the reaction area of ​​the reactor shell.

[0086] In one example, a laser fusion system is shown. The system has a reactor shell having an interior region maintained in a vacuum environment. In one example, the system has at least one pair of hole regions spatially arranged along the periphery of the reactor shell. In one example, each hole region has a hole size of A and a reaction region near the spatial center region of the reactor shell. In one example, the reaction region is characterized by a reactor length extending along the main cross-section of the reaction region. In one example, at least one cavity region is connected to the reaction region, so that the optical cavity region is spatially arranged to pass through the reaction region, configured to pass through a pair of hole regions opposite to each other, and extends to the outside of the reaction region. In one example, a pair of mirrors are respectively arranged at the first end and the second end of the cavity region, and each mirror has a mirror size of W. The laser light source is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation coupled to one of the pair of mirrors, so that the laser beam propagated from the laser light source between the pair of mirrors in the cavity region increases in energy intensity from a first intensity to a second intensity and then to an Mth intensity in M ​​cycles of the laser beam propagating between the pair of mirrors, wherein M is greater than 1000 cycles. In one example, the system has a fuel pellet or a container including the fuel pellet therein, the fuel pellet or the container being disposed within the reaction region and coupled to the cavity region to provide an energy level sufficient to ignite the fuel pellet for a fusion reaction, and a W / A ratio of at least 2 to 500, configured to reduce any damage to one mirror by reducing the hole size to a predetermined size to prevent radiation from a fusion reaction generated at the center of the reaction region from interacting with the mirror through the cavity region.

[0087] Fig.10 It is a simplified diagram of a laser fusion system according to an example of the utility model. As shown in the figure, the system has a high-power pulsed laser system, which is configured with a fusion reactor. The fusion reactor includes a pellet or black cavity within a cover structure, which can absorb fusion energy including the momentum energy of neutrons, helium and tritium to produce heat energy, and some neutrons are used to multiply tritium for reuse as fuel. The heat energy is then transferred to the surrounding heat exchange medium. The cover is surrounded by a heat exchange medium, which is configured to transfer heat energy from the cover to the medium. The heat exchange material must be able to circulate in the tube to travel to the heat exchange system connected to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger transfers heat energy from the medium to water to produce high-pressure steam, which rotates a turbine. The rotation of the turbine in the magnetic field produces electricity, which is then used as a generator on the grid of a private or public power system.

[0088] In one example, the system includes a blanket structure. The blanket structure lining the fusion reactor is a layer of material used to surround the plasma in the fusion reaction chamber. The main function of the blanket structure is to provide structural support for the plasma and protect the plasma from the walls of the reaction chamber. The blanket structure is also responsible for transferring the heat generated by the plasma to the heat exchange medium. The blanket containing beryllium microspheres effectively multiplies tritium by absorbing some neutrons.

[0089] There are several factors to consider when designing a blanket structure for a fusion reactor. One important factor is the material used for the blanket structure. The material must be able to withstand the high temperatures and pressures of the plasma, as well as the radiation produced by the reaction. Materials commonly used for blanket structures include refractory metals such as tungsten and molybdenum, and alloys such as stainless steel and Hastelloy.

[0090] Another factor to consider is the thickness of the cover structure. The cover structure should be thick enough to provide structural support for the plasma and protect it from the walls of the reaction chamber, but it should not be so thick as to inhibit heat transfer from the plasma to the cooling system.

[0091] The geometry of the fusion reactor should also be considered to design the cover structure. The cover structure should be able to conform to the shape of the plasma and the reaction chamber, and it should be able to adapt to any changes in the shape of the plasma as the reaction proceeds. Preferably, the cover structure includes a layer containing beryllium microspheres or Li2TiO3 and other compounds to multiply the tritium material.

[0092] In general, an ideal blanket structure for a fusion reactor will be made of a material that can withstand the high temperatures and pressures of the plasma, and it will have sufficient thickness to provide structural support and protection for the plasma while also allowing heat to be efficiently transferred to the heat exchange medium. In one example, the blanket structure has a thickness of 0.1 m to 1 m. The blanket first wall structure is made of a suitable material, such as reduced activated ferritic steel (e.g., RAF, reduced activated ferritic / martensitic steel), vanadium alloy (e.g., V-4Cr-4Ti, V alloy), silicon carbide composite material (e.g., SiC / SiC composite material), including combinations thereof.

[0093] In one example, the heat exchange material is configured to surround the cover structure.In one example, a heat exchange material for a fusion reactor is a substance used to transfer heat from the plasma, ionized gases, and all types of radiation from the fusion reaction to the cooling system.

[0094] There are several factors to consider when selecting heat exchange materials for fusion reactors. One important factor is the thermal conductivity of the material, which is a measure of the material's ability to transfer heat. Materials with high thermal conductivity are more efficient at transferring heat and are therefore more suitable for use in fusion reactors. Some examples of materials with high thermal conductivity include metallic materials.

[0095] Another factor to consider is the melting point of the material. The heat exchange material must be able to circulate in the tubes to travel to the heat exchange system where the heat is transferred to water, which becomes steam and then connects to a common steam turbine system. This requires the material to have a low melting point. Materials with low melting points include lithium and sodium.

[0096] In general, an ideal heat exchange material for a fusion reactor will have high thermal conductivity, low melting point, and good corrosion and erosion resistance. In one example, the heat exchange material can be any suitable material, such as lithium and sodium. Of course, there can also be other changes, modifications, and alternatives.

[0097] Fig.11 is a more detailed schematic diagram of a fusion system according to an example of the utility model. As shown in the figure, the system includes various elements, including input parameters and information, a timing device, a driver device and a fusion system. The fusion system has an internal reaction area configured concentrically with an external heat exchange area. The reactor also has a plurality of laser devices, each of which is configured as a pair of mirrors to form a cavity area. The plurality of laser devices are spatially arranged around the periphery of the reaction area. The system has a black cavity or a pellet supply device. The system has a light detection and ranging (lidar) system and a camera system for imaging and tracking the position of the fusion pellet or black cavity.

[0098] As shown, information and / or feedback from the laser light source is fed into the processing platform. The processing platform can be a suitable computer-based processor, controller or other type of processor. Examples of feedback can include signals from the light source and photodiodes to detect the transmitted light from the back side of each mirror, including pulse timing, frequency, power output and other parameters. Parameters for the circulating laser device are also fed into the processing platform. The processing platform also includes memory, such as volatile and non-volatile memory, including any combination of dynamic random access memory, flash memory, static random access memory, fixed storage device, hard drive and electronic and / or optical storage device. Information from the processing platform is fed into the timing device. The timing device is configured with a clock signal, and the clock signal is configured with the information to generate one or more electronic signals for the driver device. The driver device includes one or more electrical outputs to send signals to various elements of the reactor. These elements include fuel pellets or black cavity supply devices. Other details of the present system can be found in this specification, and more specifically, can be found below.

[0099] Fig.12 Detailed schematic diagram of a timing device for a fusion system in an example of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the timing device receives inputs such as laser characteristics (such as operating status, pulse duration, pulse operation, frequency and other information). The timing device includes programmable software programs and computer hardware and other components. The timing device outputs an on / off signal from a driver device to a fuel pellet supply or other system components.

[0100] In one example, a computer for controlling a driver as a high-speed driver, also referred to as a "drive computer", is a dedicated device for controlling and monitoring the operation of a high-speed driver (such as an actuator). In one example, the drive computer typically includes a microprocessor or microcontroller, which is a central processing unit (CPU) responsible for controlling the operation of the driver. The drive computer also includes an input / output (I / O) interface that allows the drive computer to receive input signals from a sensor or other device and output control signals to the driver. In one example, the drive computer may also include a memory for storing data and instructions, as well as various other hardware and software components that enable it to implement its functions. Some drive computers may also include additional features, such as a communication interface for communicating with other devices or systems, or a built-in diagnostic tool for monitoring the driver and troubleshooting the driver. Other details of the present system and method are described below.

[0101] In one example, all laser sources should be synchronized for high-power pulsed lasers to hit the fuel pellets or black cavity at the center of the reactor. The position of the pellets or black cavity is monitored by a laser radar and a camera and fed back to a computer to synchronize all laser sources, the signal of the photodiode located on the back of the mirror, the supply speed of the fuel pellets or black cavity, and the supply repetition frequency.

[0102] Fig.13 is a timing diagram for generating high-intensity pulsed lasers in an example of the present invention. As shown in the first row labeled "Light Source Power Intensity", each laser pulse from the light source has a pulse in the nanosecond range, such as 1-10 nanoseconds. For example, the frequency of the pulses can be in the range of 0.1 microseconds to 100 microseconds (0.01 MHz to 10 MHz). The light intensity in the cavity increases with each pulse from the light source, from a first energy intensity, a second energy intensity to an Mth energy intensity, where M is 1000 or greater, but can be smaller or larger depending on the application. Once the Mth energy is obtained from each laser cavity region, the present method and system injects a pellet or black cavity into the center of each cavity or reactor to initiate a fusion reaction.

[0103] In one example, the present high intensity pulsed laser system can be configured with a laser fusion system for generating energy. For example, laser fusion is a process of using lasers to initiate and maintain nuclear fusion reactions, which are processes that release energy by combining atomic nuclei. This process has the potential to provide an almost unlimited and clean energy source. In laser fusion, a beam of high energy lasers is used to generate plasma, which is a hot ionized gas consisting of free electrons and atomic nuclei. The plasma is then compressed and heated to extremely high temperatures and pressures, causing the atomic nuclei to fuse together and release energy. An example of laser fusion is inertial confinement fusion (ICF). In ICF, a laser beam is used to generate a shock wave that compresses small fusion fuel pellets. More details of laser fusion will be described in more detail below.

[0104] In one example, the utility model provides a laser fusion system. The system has a reactor shell, and the reactor shell includes an internal area maintained in a vacuum environment. The reactor shell forms a vacuum chamber. The system has a reaction area near the spatial center area of ​​the reactor shell and a peripheral area formed inside the reactor shell, and the peripheral area surrounds the reaction area. In one example, outside the reactor shell, connected to the inside, the system forms a radial protrusion while maintaining a vacuum, and in addition forms a reflector inside, as shown in the figure.

[0105] In one example, the system has a plurality of cavity regions numbered 1 to N within the interior region of the reactor shell and spatially arranged around the peripheral region such that each of the plurality of cavity regions extends from a first side of the peripheral region to a second side of the peripheral region. Preferably, the first side is opposite to the second side along a straight line and forms a linear path along the diameter of the interior region. In one example, the plurality of cavity regions form a hub-and-spoke configuration. Each cavity region has a central region concentric with the reaction region, and each cavity region has a first end coupled to the first side of the peripheral region and a second end coupled to the second side of the peripheral region. In one example, N is greater than 10 and can be 100, 200, or several thousand, although there may be fewer cavities in other examples.

[0106] In one example, a pair of mirrors are disposed at a first end and a second end of the cavity region, respectively. In one example, the laser light source is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation coupled to at least one of the pair of mirrors, so that a laser beam propagating from the laser light source between the pair of mirrors increases in energy intensity from a first intensity to a second intensity to an Mth intensity during M cycles of the laser beam propagating between the pair of mirrors, wherein M is greater than 1000 cycles, although it may be less or more.

[0107] In one example, N is 10 to 200; and M is equal to or greater than 1000.

[0108] In one example, the system has a fuel pellet or a container including the fuel pellet therein, the fuel pellet or the container being disposed within the reaction region and coupled to the plurality of cavity regions when each of the plurality of cavity regions spatially intersects within the reaction region to provide an energy level sufficient to directly or indirectly (via the aforementioned X-ray radiation within the black cavity) ignite the fuel pellet for a fusion reaction.

[0109] In one example, the system further has a photodiode detector device coupled to at least one mirror of each pair of mirrors and configured opposite the laser device.

[0110] In one example, each pair of mirrors is a curved or deformable mirror. In one example, each mirror is a highly reflective curved mirror with a reflectivity greater than 99.99%, which is focused to the reaction area of ​​the laser fusion system. In one example, each of the mirrors is placed inside the reactor shell and maintained in the vacuum environment. As shown in the figure, the most preferred position of the mirror is configured outside the reactor shell, connecting the inside, creating a radial protrusion while maintaining a vacuum, and in addition creating a reflector inside.

[0111] In one example, each cavity region is a Fabry-Perot resonator. In one example, the laser light source is configured to output electromagnetic radiation having a power of 0.01 joules and greater.

[0112] In one example, the tube opening region is a vacuum region coupled to a fuel pellet (or black cavity) delivery device. First, because the fuel pellet (or black cavity) delivery device is located outside the reactor, the pellets (or black cavity) are placed inside the fuel pellet (or black cavity) delivery device at atmospheric pressure. By opening the gate or valve in the tube, the fuel pellets (or black cavity) are sucked into the tube due to the pressure difference from atmospheric pressure to vacuum. Then, the fuel pellets (or cavities) are injected into the reaction area from the opening of the tube at a high speed.

[0113] In one example, the container is a black cavity. In one example, the container is a black cavity; and wherein the laser beam is irradiated to the inner surface of the black cavity to generate X-rays that interact with the fuel pellets. In one example, the container is a black cavity; and wherein the laser beam is irradiated to the inner surface of the black cavity to generate X-rays, and the X-rays irradiate the fuel pellets to generate a nuclear fusion reaction.

[0114] In one example, the system has a cover structure configured to the reactor housing and adapted to absorb fusion energy from the reactor housing to change the fusion energy into thermal energy, the cover structure coupled to a heat exchange medium configured to transfer thermal energy from the cover structure to the heat exchange medium. In one example, the heat exchange medium transfers the thermal energy from the heat exchange medium to water to produce high pressure steam suitable for rotating a turbine coupled to a generator to produce electrical energy. In one example, the cover structure and the heat exchange medium are placed at an area of ​​the reactor housing having a smaller diameter than the diameter of the reactor housing at the peripheral area where the mirror is located to effectively absorb fusion energy.

[0115] In one example, the system has a fuel pellet or black cavity delivery device coupled to the reactor shell, a timing device coupled to the fuel pellet or black cavity delivery device; and a driver device coupled between the timing device and the fuel pellet delivery device. In one example, the fuel pellet or black cavity is delivered through a tube near the reaction area of ​​the laser fusion system. In one example, the tube has an opening less than 0.01 mm or 20 mm from the reaction area. In one example, the fuel pellet or black cavity is characterized by a velocity of 0.5 km / s to 100 km / s in the reaction area. In one example, the fuel pellet or black cavity is supplied at a repetition frequency of 1 Hz to 50 Hz in the reaction area, and in one example, the fuel pellet or black cavity is accelerated to a high speed by using a pressure difference between the fuel pellet or black cavity delivery device area and the opening area of ​​the tube, or gunpowder, or other energy or acceleration device.

[0116] In one instance, the cavity region is defined by a spatial length between each pair of mirrors, the spatial length being greater than a diameter of the reactor shell, and further comprising a covering structure and a heat exchange medium, the covering structure and the heat exchange medium being arranged on an outer wall or an inner wall of a reactor shell of a smaller diameter to reduce any damage to any of the mirrors by radiation generated by the fusion reaction at the reaction region in the laser fusion system.

[0117] In one example, the utility model provides a laser fusion system. The system has a reactor shell having an internal area maintained in a vacuum environment. The system has a plurality of hole areas spatially arranged along the periphery of the reactor shell. In one example, the hole size of each of the hole areas is A. In one example, the system has a reaction area near the spatial center area of ​​the reactor shell. The reaction area is characterized by a reactor length extending along the main cross-section of the reaction area.

[0118] In one example, a plurality of cavity regions numbered 1 to N are in communication with the reaction region such that each of the plurality of cavity regions is spatially arranged to pass through the reaction region. Each of the plurality of cavities is configured to pass through a pair of hole regions opposing each other and extend beyond the reaction region such that the plurality of cavity regions form a hub-and-spoke configuration and are characterized by an intersection region within a spatial center region of the reaction region. In one example, N is greater than 10, but may be greater or less.

[0119] In one example, a pair of mirrors are respectively disposed at the first end and the second end of each of the cavity regions, and each of the mirrors has a mirror size W.

[0120] In one instance, the laser light source is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation coupled to at least one of the pair of mirrors such that a laser beam propagating from the laser light source between the pair of mirrors increases in energy intensity from a first intensity to a second intensity to an Mth intensity during M cycles of the laser beam propagating between the pair of mirrors, wherein M is greater than 1000 cycles.

[0121] In one example, a fuel pellet or a container including the fuel pellet therein is disposed within the reaction region and coupled to the plurality of cavity regions when each of the plurality of cavity regions spatially intersects within the reaction region to provide an energy level sufficient to ignite the fuel pellet for a fusion reaction.

[0122] In one instance, a W / A ratio of at least 2 to 500 is configured to reduce any damage to one or more mirrors by reducing the hole size to a predetermined size to prevent radiation from a fusion reaction generated at the center of the reaction region from interacting with the mirror through any of the cavity regions.

[0123] In one example, the aperture dimension A is the diameter, width, height or major dimension of the aperture; and wherein the mirror dimension W is the diameter, width, height or major dimension of the mirror.

[0124] In one example, the utility model provides a laser fusion system. The system has a reactor shell, and the reactor shell has an internal area maintained in a vacuum environment. In one example, the system has at least one pair of hole areas arranged in space along the periphery of the reactor shell, each hole area has a hole size A, and a reaction area near the spatial center area of ​​the reactor shell. In one example, the reaction area is characterized by a reactor length extending along the main cross-section of the reaction area. In one example, at least one cavity area is connected to the reaction area, so that the optical cavity area is spatially arranged to pass through the reaction area, configured to pass through a pair of hole areas opposite to each other, and extends to the outside of the reaction area. In one example, a pair of mirrors are respectively arranged at the first end and the second end of the cavity area, and each mirror has a mirror size W. The laser light source is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation coupled to one of the pair of mirrors, so that the laser beam propagated from the laser light source between the pair of mirrors in the cavity area increases in energy intensity from the first intensity to the second intensity and then to the Mth intensity in the M cycles of the laser beam propagating between the pair of mirrors, wherein M is greater than 1000 cycles. In one example, the system has a fuel pellet or a container including the fuel pellet therein, the fuel pellet or the container being disposed within the reaction region and coupled to a cavity region to provide an energy level sufficient to ignite the fuel pellet for a fusion reaction, and a W / A ratio of at least 2 to 500, configured to reduce any damage to one of the mirrors by reducing the hole size to a predetermined size to prevent radiation from the fusion reaction generated at the center of the reaction region from interacting with the mirror through the cavity region.

[0125] Although the above is a complete description of a specific example, various modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents may be used. For example, a packaged device may include any combination of the above elements, as well as elements outside of this specification. In one example, a high-intensity laser forms a resonator between the pair of mirrors using constructive interference of each laser beam. In one example, a first path with a high-intensity pulsed laser is provided in a resonator device. In one example, the utility model provides a system and method for generating concentric or spherical resonators in a reaction region to focus the laser at the center of the reactor. Therefore, the above description and illustrations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the utility model as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A laser fusion system, characterized in that: The system comprises: a reactor housing having an interior region maintained in a vacuum environment; a reaction region near a spatially central region of the reactor housing; a peripheral region formed within the reactor shell, the peripheral region surrounding the reaction region; a plurality of cavity regions within the interior region of the reactor housing and spatially arranged around the peripheral region such that each of the plurality of cavity regions extends from a first side of the peripheral region to a second side of the peripheral region, the first side being opposite the second side and forming a linear path along a diameter of the interior region such that the plurality of cavity regions form a hub-and-spoke configuration, each cavity region having a central region concentric with the reactor region, and each cavity region having a first end coupled to the first side of the peripheral region and a second end coupled to the second side of the peripheral region; a pair of mirrors, respectively disposed at the first end and the second end of the cavity region; a laser light source configured to emit electromagnetic radiation coupled to at least one of the pair of mirrors such that an energy intensity of a laser beam propagating from the laser light source between the pair of mirrors increases from a first intensity to a second intensity to an Mth intensity during M cycles of propagation of the laser beam between the pair of mirrors; The tube opening region has a lower pressure region coupled to a fuel pellet transport device or a black chamber transport device arranged on a peripheral region of the reactor housing.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that Also includes: A fuel pellet or a container including the fuel pellet therein is disposed within the reaction region and coupled to the plurality of cavity regions when each of the plurality of cavity regions spatially intersects within the reaction region to provide an energy level sufficient to ignite the fuel pellet for a fusion reaction.

3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that Also included is a photodiode detector device coupled to at least one mirror in each pair of mirrors and configured opposite the laser device.

4. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that Each pair of mirrors is a curved or deformable mirror.

5. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that Each of the cavities is a Fabry-Perot cavity.

6. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that The container is a black chamber.

7. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that The container is a black cavity; and wherein the laser beam is irradiated to an inner surface of the black cavity to generate X-rays that interact with the fuel pellets.

8. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that The container is a black cavity; and wherein the laser beam is irradiated to an inner surface of the black cavity to generate X-rays, and the X-rays irradiate the fuel pellets to generate a nuclear fusion reaction.

9. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that Also includes: A cover structure is configured to the reactor housing and is adapted to absorb fusion energy from the reactor housing to change the fusion energy into thermal energy, the cover structure being coupled to a heat exchange medium configured to transfer thermal energy from the cover structure to the heat exchange medium.

10. The system according to claim 9, characterized in that The heat exchange medium transfers the thermal energy from the heat exchange medium to water to generate high pressure steam suitable for rotating a turbine that is coupled to a generator to generate electrical energy.

11. The system according to claim 9, characterized in that The cover structure and the heat exchange medium are placed at an area of ​​the reactor housing having a smaller diameter than a diameter of the reactor housing at the peripheral area where the mirror is located to effectively absorb fusion energy.

12. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that Also includes: A fuel pellet delivery device or a black cavity delivery device coupled to the reactor housing, and a timing device coupled to the fuel pellet delivery device or the black cavity delivery device; and a driver device coupled between the timing device and the fuel pellet delivery device or the black cavity delivery device.

13. The system according to claim 6, characterized in that The fuel pellets or the hohlraum are transported through a tube or path near the reaction zone of the laser fusion system.

14. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that Each of the mirrors is placed inside the reactor housing and maintained in the vacuum environment.

15. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that The length of the cavity defined by the length of the space between each pair of mirrors is greater than the diameter of the reactor shell; and also includes a covering structure and a heat exchange medium, which are arranged on the inner wall of the reactor shell to reduce any damage to any of the mirrors by radiation generated by the fusion reaction at the reaction area in the laser fusion system.

16. A laser fusion system, characterized in that: The system comprises: a reactor housing having an interior region maintained in a vacuum environment; a reaction region near a spatially central region of the reactor housing; a peripheral region formed within the reactor shell, the peripheral region surrounding the reaction region; a plurality of cavity regions numbered 1 to N within the interior region of the reactor housing and spatially arranged around the peripheral region such that each of the plurality of cavity regions extends from a first side of the peripheral region to a second side of the peripheral region, the first side being opposite to the second side and forming a linear path along a diameter of the interior region such that the plurality of cavity regions form a hub-and-spoke configuration, each cavity region having a central region concentric with the reactor region, and each cavity region having a first end coupled to the first side of the peripheral region and a second end coupled to the second side of the peripheral region; a pair of mirrors, respectively disposed at the first end and the second end of the cavity region; a laser light source configured to emit electromagnetic radiation coupled to at least one of the pair of mirrors such that an energy intensity of a laser beam propagating from the laser light source between the pair of mirrors increases from a first intensity to a second intensity to an Mth intensity during M cycles of propagation of the laser beam between the pair of mirrors; a fuel pellet or a container including the fuel pellet therein, the fuel pellet or the container being disposed within the reaction region and coupled to the plurality of cavity regions when each of the plurality of cavity regions spatially intersects within the reaction region to provide an energy level sufficient to ignite the fuel pellet for a fusion reaction; a cover structure disposed within the reactor vessel; and A heat exchange medium surrounds the cover structure.

17. The system according to claim 16, characterized in that The cavity region is defined by a spatial length between each pair of mirrors, the spatial length being greater than a diameter of the reactor shell; and wherein the cover structure and the heat exchange medium are configured on an inner wall of the reactor shell to reduce any damage to any of the mirrors by radiation generated by the fusion reaction at the reaction region in the laser fusion system.

18. A laser fusion system, characterized in that: The system comprises: a reactor housing having an interior region maintained in a vacuum environment, A plurality of hole regions are spatially arranged along the periphery of the reactor shell, each hole region having a hole size A; a reaction region proximate a spatially central region of the reactor housing, the reaction region being characterized by a reactor length extending along a major cross-section of the reaction region; a plurality of cavity regions numbered 1 to N, which are in communication with the reaction region, such that each of the plurality of cavity regions is spatially arranged to pass through the reaction region, is configured to pass through a pair of hole regions opposite to each other, and extends to the outside of the reaction region, such that the plurality of cavity regions form a hub-and-spoke configuration, and are characterized by an intersection region within the spatial center region of the reaction region, wherein N is greater than 10; A pair of mirrors, respectively disposed at the first end and the second end of each of the cavity regions, and the mirror size of each of the mirrors is W; a laser light source configured to emit electromagnetic radiation coupled to at least one of the pair of mirrors such that an energy intensity of a laser beam propagating from the laser light source between the pair of mirrors increases from a first intensity to a second intensity to an Mth intensity over M cycles of propagation of the laser beam between the pair of mirrors, wherein M is greater than 1000 cycles; a fuel pellet or a container including the fuel pellet therein, the fuel pellet or the container being disposed within the reaction region and coupled to the plurality of cavity regions when each of the plurality of cavity regions spatially intersects within the reaction region to provide an energy level sufficient to ignite the fuel pellet for a fusion reaction; and a ratio of W / A of at least 2 to 500, configured to reduce any damage to one or more mirrors by reducing the aperture size to a predetermined size to prevent radiation from a fusion reaction generated at the center of the reaction region from interacting with the mirror through any of the cavity regions; The tube opening region has a lower pressure region coupled to a fuel pellet transport device or a black chamber transport device arranged on a peripheral region of the reactor housing.

19. The system according to claim 18, characterized in that The aperture dimension A is the diameter, width, height or major dimension of the aperture; and wherein the mirror dimension W is the diameter, width, height or major dimension of the mirror.

20. The system according to claim 18, characterized in that Also included is a photodiode detector device coupled to at least one mirror of each pair of mirrors and configured opposite the laser device.

21. The system according to claim 18, characterized in that Each pair of mirrors is a curved or deformable mirror.

22. The system according to claim 18, characterized in that N is 10 to 200; and, M is equal to or greater than 1000.

23. The system according to claim 18, characterized in that Each of the cavities is a Fabry-Perot cavity.

24. The system according to claim 18, characterized in that The container is a black chamber.

25. The system according to claim 18, characterized in that The container is a black cavity; and wherein the laser beam is irradiated to an inner surface of the black cavity to generate X-rays that interact with the fuel pellets.

26. The system according to claim 18, characterized in that The container is a black cavity; and wherein the laser beam is irradiated to an inner surface of the black cavity to generate X-rays, and the X-rays irradiate the fuel pellets to generate a nuclear fusion reaction.

27. The system according to claim 18, characterized in that Also includes: A cover structure is configured to the reactor housing and is adapted to absorb fusion energy from the reactor housing to change the fusion energy into thermal energy, the cover structure being coupled to a heat exchange medium configured to transfer thermal energy from the cover structure to the heat exchange medium.

28. The system according to claim 27, characterized in that The heat exchange medium transfers the thermal energy from the heat exchange medium to water to generate high pressure steam suitable for rotating a turbine that is coupled to a generator to generate electrical energy.

29. The system according to claim 27, characterized in that The cover structure and the heat exchange medium are placed at a region of the reactor housing having a smaller diameter compared to a diameter of the reactor housing to effectively absorb fusion energy.

30. The system according to claim 18, characterized in that Also includes: A fuel pellet delivery device or a black cavity delivery device coupled to the reactor housing, and a timing device coupled to the fuel pellet delivery device or the black cavity delivery device; and a driver device coupled between the timing device and the fuel pellet delivery device or the black cavity delivery device.

31. The system according to claim 24, characterized in that The fuel pellets or the hohlraum are transported through a tube or path near the reaction zone of the laser fusion system.

32. The system according to claim 31, characterized in that By using the pressure difference between the region of the tube opening and the region of a fuel pellet transport device or a black cavity transport device placed outside the vacuum reactor, the fuel pellets or the black cavity are accelerated to a high speed.

33. The system according to claim 18, characterized in that Each of the mirrors is placed in a region coupled to the reactor housing through an aperture region and maintained in the vacuum environment.

34. The system according to claim 18, characterized in that Each of the cavity regions has a cavity length defined by the length of the space between each pair of mirrors, the cavity length being greater than the diameter of the reactor shell; and further comprising a covering structure and a heat exchange medium, the covering structure and the heat exchange medium being arranged on the inner wall of the reactor shell to reduce any damage to any of the mirrors by radiation generated by a fusion reaction at the reaction region in the laser fusion system; and wherein the covering structure and the heat exchange medium are configured to collect fusion energy from the reaction region.

35. The system of claim 18, wherein: Each of the cavities numbered from 1 to N has the same cavity length.

36. A laser fusion system, characterized in that: The system comprises: Reactor Shell: at least one pair of aperture regions spatially disposed along a periphery of said reactor housing, each of said aperture regions; a reaction region proximate a spatially central region of the reactor housing, the reaction region being characterized by a reactor length extending along a major cross-section of the reaction region; at least one cavity region, the at least one cavity region being in communication with the reaction region such that the optical cavity region is spatially disposed to pass through the reaction region, is configured to pass through the pair of hole regions opposing each other, and extends to the outside of the reaction region; a pair of mirrors, respectively disposed at a first end and a second end of the cavity region; and A laser light source is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation coupled to one of the pair of mirrors so that an energy intensity of a laser beam propagating from the laser light source between the pair of mirrors in the cavity region increases from a first intensity to a second intensity and then to an Mth intensity during M cycles of the laser beam propagating between the pair of mirrors.

Images