Laser fusion system

Abstract

The utility model provides a laser fusion system. The laser fusion system comprises a reactor shell, a reaction area and a peripheral area, a plurality of cavity regions, the plurality of cavity regions coupled to an interior region of the reactor housing; a pair of mirrors; a laser light source; and a tube opening region. 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

[0001] This application is a divisional application of patent application number 2024200099497, filed on January 3, 2024, entitled "Laser Fusion System". Technical Field

[0002] This invention generally relates to fusion energy generation technology. In particular, it provides a system and method for generating fusion energy using a high-intensity pulsed laser system, as well as related methods. By way of example only, this invention can be applied to a wide range 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, chemical, mechanical, electrical and communications and / or data applications. Background Technology

[0003] From the very beginning, humankind has developed energy from natural materials such as wood, coal, oil, and natural gas products. Renewable energy sources, including nuclear, wind, hydropower, and solar power, hold great promise. However, these renewable energy sources also have other drawbacks. Wind only works when it's windy. Solar power cannot be used after sunset. Hydropower is limited to areas with water, and while nuclear power is promising, it has significant problems with waste production and unreliable and dangerous reactors. Another promising energy source is fusion energy.

[0004] Fusion energy is a type of energy produced when two atomic nuclei fuse together, releasing a large amount of energy in the process. It is considered a potential source of clean and abundant energy because the fuel for fusion reactions (primarily hydrogen) is abundant on Earth, and the reaction does not produce greenhouse gases or other harmful pollutants.

[0005] There are two main methods to achieve fusion reactions: inertial confinement fusion (ICF) and magnetic confinement fusion (MCF).

[0006] Inertial confinement fusion (ICF) involves compressing and heating a small mass of hydrogen fuel using a high-energy laser or particle beam, causing it to melt. The fuel is typically a mixture of two hydrogen isotopes, deuterium and tritium. The fuel is contained in a small spherical capsule called a hohlraum, which is placed at the center of a chamber filled with the high-energy laser or particle beam. When the laser or particle beam is directed at the hohlraum, it produces a uniform layer of X-rays that uniformly heats and compresses the fuel within the hohlraum. This causes the fuel to reach the temperature and pressure conditions required for fusion to occur.

[0007] The main advantage of ICF is that it can potentially produce fusion reactions with relatively little fuel and relatively low cost. However, the process is still in the experimental stage, and there are significant technological challenges before it can be considered a practical energy source.

[0008] Magnetic confinement fusion (MCF) involves using a strong magnetic field to contain and heat a plasma of hydrogen fuel (a hot, ionized gas), causing it to melt. The most common type of MCF is called tokamak fusion, which uses a toroidal (donut-shaped) chamber to contain the plasma. The plasma is held at the center of the chamber by a strong magnetic field generated by an electric current passing through a set of coils around the chamber. The plasma is heated by injecting energy into the chamber via a particle beam or electromagnetic waves.

[0009] The main advantage of MCF is its potential to generate larger-scale fusion reactions, making it more suitable for power generation. However, this is a more complex and expensive process than ICF, and significant technological challenges remain to be overcome before it can be considered a practical energy source.

[0010] In recent years, both ICF and MCF have made significant progress, and several experimental facilities around the world are studying 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 major technological challenge.

[0011] Other fusion energy approaches are also being explored, such as magnetized targeted fusion and muon-catalyzed fusion. However, these methods are still in the early stages of development, and it remains unclear whether they are feasible as an energy source.

[0012] In conclusion, fusion energy has the potential to become 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

[0013] According to this invention, technologies generally related to fusion energy generation are provided. In particular, this invention provides a system and method for generating fusion energy using a high-intensity pulsed or continuous wave (CW) laser system, as well as related methods.

[0014] In one example, the present invention provides a laser fusion system. The system has a reactor shell, which includes an internal region maintained in a vacuum environment. The reactor shell forms a vacuum chamber. The system has a reaction region near the spatial center region of the reactor shell and a peripheral region formed inside the reactor shell, the peripheral region surrounding the reaction region.

[0015] In one example, the system has multiple cavity regions (e.g., optical cavity regions) numbered 1 to N within the interior region of the reactor shell (e.g., a circular, dome-shaped, or other shaped structure) and spatially arranged around the peripheral region such that each of the multiple 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 multiple 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 fewer cavities may be possible in other examples.

[0016] In one example, a pair of mirrors are respectively disposed at the first and second ends of the cavity region. In another example, a laser source is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation coupled to at least one of the pair of mirrors, such that the energy intensity of a laser beam propagating from the laser source between the pair of mirrors increases from a first intensity to a second intensity and then to an Mth intensity over 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 fewer or more.

[0017] In one example, the system has a fuel pellet or a container containing the fuel pellet inside, 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 intersects spatially within the reaction region to provide an energy level sufficient to ignite the fuel pellet for a fusion reaction.

[0018] In one example, the present invention provides a laser fusion system. The system has a reactor shell with an internal region maintained in a vacuum environment. In one example, the system has at least a pair of aperture regions spatially disposed along the periphery of the reactor shell, each aperture region having an aperture 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 communicates with the reaction region such that an optical cavity region is spatially configured to pass through the reaction region, pass through the pair of aperture regions opposite each other, and extend to the outside of the reaction region. In one example, a pair of mirrors are respectively disposed at the first and second ends of the cavity region, each mirror having a mirror size of W. A laser source is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation coupled to one of the pair of mirrors, such that the energy intensity of a laser beam propagating from the laser source between the pair of mirrors within the cavity region increases from a first intensity to a second intensity and then to an Mth intensity over M cycles of the laser beam propagating between the pair of mirrors, where M is greater than 1000 cycles. In one example, the system has a fuel pellet or a container containing the fuel pellet internally, 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 the fusion reaction generated at the center of the reaction region from interacting with the mirrors through the cavity region.

[0019] According to examples, this invention can achieve one or more of these benefits and / or advantages. In one example, this invention provides a fusion energy system and related methods, the fusion energy system including a high-intensity pulsed or CW laser system configured with a reactor in a compact and space-efficient system. In one example, the high-intensity pulsed or CW laser system provides sufficient energy to ignite and sustain fusion energy within the reactor. In one example, this invention provides the advantage of generating fusion energy with efficient size, weight, and cost using this high-intensity laser. These and other benefits and / or advantages can be achieved using this device and related methods. Further details of these benefits and / or advantages can be found in this specification, and more specifically, below. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1This is a simplified diagram of a laser fusion system according to an example of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a simplified diagram of a laser fusion system with a cavity length of 30m and a high-power pulsed laser with a frequency of 50Hz and a power of 100kJ, according to an example of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 Examples according to the present invention are shown. Figure 2 A simplified timing diagram of the laser fusion system, showing a cavity length of 30 m and a high-power pulsed laser with a frequency of 50 Hz and a power of 100 kJ.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a simplified diagram of a black cavity device according to an example of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 Examples according to the present invention are shown. Figure 2 A simplified timing diagram of the laser fusion system shows a cavity length of 30 m and a high-power pulsed laser with a frequency of 10 Hz and a power of 100 kJ.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a simplified diagram of a laser fusion system with a cavity length of 150m and a high-power pulsed laser with a frequency of 10Hz and a frequency of 100kJ, according to an example of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 7 Examples according to the present invention are shown. Figure 6 A simplified timing diagram of the laser fusion system, showing a cavity length of 150 m and a high-power pulsed laser with a frequency of 10 Hz and a power of 100 kJ.

[0027] Figure 8 This is a simplified diagram of a laser fusion system according to an example of the present invention, which includes a mirror coupled to a cavity length longer than the diameter of the internal reactor shell.

[0028] Figure 9 This is a simplified diagram of a laser fusion system according to an example of the present invention, which includes a pair of mirrors coupled to a cavity length longer than the diameter of the internal reactor shell.

[0029] Figure 10 This is a simplified diagram of a fusion reactor configured for power generation according to an example of this utility model.

[0030] Figure 11 This is a more detailed schematic diagram of a fusion reactor according to an example of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 12This is a detailed schematic diagram of a timing device used in a fusion system, as described in an example of this utility model.

[0032] Figure 13 This is a timing diagram for generating high-intensity pulsed laser in an example of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0033] In one instance, the present invention provides techniques generally related to fusion energy generation. Specifically, the present invention provides a system and method for generating fusion energy using a high-intensity pulsed or CW laser system, as well as related methods. By way of example only, the present invention can be applied to a wide range 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, chemical, mechanical, electrical and communications and / or data applications.

[0034] Figure 1 This is a simplified diagram of a laser fusion system according to an example of the present invention. As shown, the system has multiple or N Fabry-Perot resonant cavities, each defined between a pair of mirrors facing each other. In one example, these cavities are configured within a reactor shell. The reactor shell is maintained in a vacuum environment. Each cavity has a laser source coupled to one end and a photodiode (or detector) coupled to the other end. Each cavity intersects in a central region to form a radial-axial configuration. In one example, as shown, the system has a fuel pellet or black cavity supply (or delivery) device. For high-power pulsed lasers, each laser source is synchronized to interact (or impact) with the fuel pellets in the reaction region or center of the reactor shell. Sensing systems such as lidar (e.g., light detection and ranging) and cameras can be used in conjunction with the laser sources to synchronously transmit high-power pulsed lasers to the fuel pellets, thereby initiating the fusion reaction. Further details of this system can be found in this specification, and more specifically, below.

[0035] Figure 2 This is a simplified diagram of a laser fusion system according to an example of the present invention. The system has a cavity length of 30 meters and uses a light source configured for 5 MHz and 1 joule. As shown, the system has a reactor shell comprising an internal region maintained in a vacuum environment, multiple cavities, each cavity formed between a pair of mirrors. Each pair of mirrors has a laser source at one end and a photodetector at the other end. As shown, the system has a chip supply (or delivery) device or a black cavity supply (or delivery) device.

[0036] In one example, the reactor shell is a vacuum chamber. In another example, a vacuum chamber is a sealed, hermetically tight container used to create a vacuum, or an area with very low pressure. The interior of the cavity is evacuated (or emptied), which is ideal for increasing the intensity of pulsed or CW laser power. In one example, when there is air or other impurities in the cavity, particles and water in the air absorb or scatter the laser, reducing its intensity as it propagates within the cavity. In a preferred example, the cavity is maintained in a vacuum.

[0037] Vacuum chambers are typically made of materials that are resistant to vacuum, high temperatures, and radiation, such as stainless steel, aluminum, or other materials. They are designed to withstand the high radiation and temperatures generated during the fusion reaction, as well as the strong radiation emitted by the fusion products.

[0038] In one instance, the vacuum chamber is a component of the fusion reactor because it helps create the conditions necessary for increasing laser power in this invention. It also helps protect the fusion reaction from external influences, such as air and other contaminants, which can interfere with the reaction and laser propagation. In one instance, the vacuum environment can range from less than 10... -5 Thor to 10 -3 Thor. Of course, there are other changes, modifications, and alternatives.

[0039] The laser source is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation coupled to at least one of the pair of mirrors, such that the energy intensity of the laser beam propagating from the laser source between the pair of mirrors increases from a first intensity to a second intensity and then to an Mth intensity over M cycles of propagation between the pair of mirrors, where M is greater than 1000 cycles.

[0040] To create a vacuum within the reactor vessel, a high-capacity pump is used to evacuate the vacuum chamber, removing all air and other gases. This process, known as evacuation, typically takes several hours or longer to reach the desired vacuum level, depending on the chamber size. Once a vacuum is achieved, the laser source is activated, and pulsed or CW laser power is increased in each of the N cavities. Fuel pellets, or containers containing fuel pellets, are injected through tubes, and the fusion reaction can begin. As shown in this invention, N pairs of Fabry-Perot cavities enhance the pulsed or CW laser power within the reactor vessel.

[0041] In one example, the system has a reaction region near the central spatial region of the reactor shell. As shown in the figure, the reaction region is located within the central region. The central region illustrates the intersection of multiple cavity regions.

[0042] As shown in the figure, 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 in the figure, the system has multiple cavity regions, numbered 1 to N within the internal region of the reactor shell and spatially arranged around the peripheral region, such that each of the multiple cavity regions extends from a first side 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 internal region. In one example, the multiple cavity regions are arranged in a spoke-axis configuration. Each cavity region has a central region concentric with the reaction region, and each cavity region has a first end coupled to a first side of the peripheral region and a second end coupled to a second side of the peripheral region. In one example, N is greater than 10 and can be 100, 200, or thousands, although fewer cavities may be possible in other examples. Each laser source is synchronized with other sources, the fuel pellet delivery system, and photodetectors for high-power pulsed laser strikes on fuel pellets or containers in the reaction region.

[0043] As shown in the figure, a pair of mirrors are respectively disposed at the first and second ends of the cavity region. Each pair of mirrors is spatially arranged along the peripheral region within the reactor shell. As shown, the system uses any combination of high-reflectivity planar and curved optical mirror devices with reflectivity greater than 99.99% or 99.999% to minimize optical losses. In one example, the high-reflectivity optical mirror is a device that reflects light in a specific direction. This device has a flat or curved surface coated with a high-reflectivity material, such as a dielectric material. A preferred high-reflectivity optical mirror is a dielectric distributed Bragg reflector (DBR). In one example, the shape and curvature of the mirror determine the direction and intensity of the reflected light.

[0044] In this invention, all high-intensity laser beams are focused onto a small point at the center of the reactor or reaction region to achieve the highest laser power density at the center by multiplying the laser intensity by M times at each cavity and then focusing all N high-intensity laser beams. In each cavity comprising a pair of mirrors, the laser source is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation coupled to at least one of the pair of mirrors, such that the energy intensity of the laser beam propagating from the laser source between the pair of mirrors increases from a first intensity to a second intensity and then to an Mth intensity over M cycles of propagation between the pair of mirrors.

[0045] In one example, the laser source is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation and form a high-power laser beam through each Fabry-Perot cavity inside the reactor. In another example, the system couples a high-power pulsed or CW laser system to the fusion reactor to generate high-power energy to initiate and sustain the fusion reaction. 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 under high temperature and pressure, causing them to fuse together and release a large amount of energy. In one example of laser fusion, a high-energy laser beam is used to compress and heat a small piece of fuel, typically a mixture of deuterium and tritium (two isotopes of hydrogen). The laser beam generates a shock wave that compresses the fuel through implosion, bringing it to a sufficiently high temperature and pressure to initiate fusion. During fusion, 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 this fusion system, particularly the high-power laser, are provided in this specification, especially below.

[0046] For example, a high-power laser is a device that generates a highly concentrated and focused beam of light with a high power level. The light generated by a high-power laser can have a variety of properties, such as wavelength, intensity, and coherence, depending on the specific design and structure of the laser.

[0047] One type of high-power laser is the solid-state laser, which is made of a solid gain medium 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 rare-earth elements (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.

[0048] Another type of high-power laser is the gas laser, which uses a gas as the gain medium. Gas lasers can be further classified according to the type of gas used, such as helium-neon lasers, carbon dioxide lasers, and argon lasers. Gas lasers are very reliable and have a long lifespan, making them suitable for continuous operation.

[0049] 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 highly efficient and can produce high-power output, making them ideal for many industrial and scientific applications.

[0050] Many factors influence the performance and efficiency of high-power lasers, such as the 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 specific applications. For example, a high-power laser is a highly concentrated and focused beam with a high power level, used in a wide range of applications.

[0051] In one example, this invention provides a high-intensity pulsed or CW laser generation system. In one example, a high-intensity pulsed or CW laser is a laser that generates a highly concentrated and focused beam with a high power level. The short pulse duration of the high-intensity pulsed laser allows for high peak power and enables the delivery of high peak energy to the target within a very short period.

[0052] In one example, one type of high-intensity pulsed laser is the Q-switched laser, which uses a mechanical or electro-optic modulator to rapidly switch the laser beam. This allows the laser to produce very short pulses, with pulse durations ranging from nanoseconds to picoseconds. Q-switched lasers are highly efficient and can produce very high peak power, making them ideal for many industrial and scientific applications. Another type of high-intensity pulsed laser is the 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 power, making them ideal for many scientific and research applications.

[0053] Many factors influence the performance and efficiency of high-intensity pulsed or CW lasers, such as the gain medium, pump source, resonator design, and pulse generation method. The design and construction of a high-intensity pulsed or CW laser can significantly affect its 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 high power levels and very short pulse durations. It has a wide range of applications. In one example, this invention provides a high-intensity pulsed or CW laser generation system and related methods, as described throughout this specification and in more detail below.

[0054] As shown in the figure, the laser source is coupled to at least one of the pair of mirrors such that the energy intensity of the laser beam propagating from the laser source between the pair of mirrors increases from a first intensity to a second intensity and then to an Mth intensity over M cycles of the laser beam propagating between the pair of mirrors. In one instance, M is greater than 1000 cycles, although it can be fewer or more.

[0055] As shown in the figure, there are several types of highly reflective optical mirrors, each with specific properties and uses. A flat mirror, also called a plane mirror, has a flat reflecting surface and is used to reflect light in a straight line. In one example, a concave mirror has an inwardly curved reflecting surface and is used to focus light to a single point. In this invention, a concave mirror is included to focus a high-power laser to the center of a reactor. In one example, a convex mirror has an outwardly curved reflecting surface and is used to disperse light over a wider area to reduce the concentration of laser power on the mirror surface and avoid optical damage. In one example, optical mirrors may also be coated with specialized coatings, such as dielectric or metallic coatings, to enhance their reflective properties and reduce surface defects that cause optical absorption, leading to optical damage. These coatings can improve the efficiency and performance of the mirror, making it suitable for specific applications.

[0056] In one example, the system has fuel pellets or a container containing the fuel pellets, the fuel pellets or the container being disposed within the reaction region and coupled to the plurality of cavity regions when each of them spatially intersects within the reaction region to provide an energy level sufficient to ignite the fuel pellets for a fusion reaction. Pipes or other fuel supply guiding assemblies are configured from the fuel pellet or container supply device to the reaction region. In one example, the container is a black cavity, which will be described in more detail below.

[0057] In one instance, the position of the fuel pellets or containers is monitored by lidar and cameras, and fed back to a computer to synchronize with all laser sources, signals from photodiodes located on the back of mirrors, and the fuel pellet or container delivery system.

[0058] 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 megajoules (MJ) to 20 MJ, 10 terawatts (TW) to 10 petawatts (PW) or more. The cavity length can be 20 meters to 10 kilometers, but in other examples it can be shorter or longer. In one example, the frequency at which the die or container is delivered to the reaction region can be approximately 1 Hz to 50 Hz, and more or less. Each laser source can have a power of 0.01 joules to 100 joules and a frequency of 100 kHz to 100 MHz.

[0059] 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 source becomes 5 MHz (=1 / (0.2 microseconds)). When the pulse energy of the laser source is 1 joule, after the laser beam propagates 100,000 times between each pair of mirrors, assuming negligible mirror losses as shown in the figure, an ideal total energy of 100 kilojoules is obtained in the cavity region with a repetition frequency of 50 Hz. For 200 pairs of mirrors or cavities, we obtain a total energy of 20 megajoules in the reaction region. The repetition frequency of the 20 megajoule high-power pulse becomes 50 Hz.

[0060] In one example, the tube has an opening or outlet near the reaction zone. In another example, the fuel pellets or black cavity must be supplied to the center of the reaction zone at a repetition frequency of 50 Hz, synchronized with the frequency of a 50 Hz high-power pulse from all cavities to generate the fusion reaction. In one example, the distance between the opening and the reaction zone ranges from 0.01 mm to 1 m, and is preferably from 0.01 mm to 20 mm.

[0061] In one instance, the distance between the opening and the reaction region is small to keep the black cavity balanced within its spatial profile without tilting. In another instance, the shape inside the tube is configured to fit the shape of the black cavity to guide it into the opening by maintaining the same spatial profile and balance. Through the tube opening, by maintaining balance without any tilting, the black cavity is injected into the central region or reaction region of the reactor, such that all high-power laser beams aimed at the two openings of the black cavity are irradiated onto the surfaces inside the black cavity to generate X-rays through the two openings, as further described below. If the distance becomes larger, the balance or spatial profile of the black cavity is disrupted and tilted, and the high-power laser beams do not irradiate through the two openings of the black cavity as further described. In one instance, due to the pressure difference between the tube opening region and the fuel pellet delivery device or black cavity delivery device, the pellets or black cavity are drawn into the reaction region at high speed.

[0062] In an example using a black cavity, when a 5mm diameter black cavity begins to contact the Fabry-Perot cavity at the intersection point, all the high-power laser at that intersection point is focused onto a small point at the center of the reactor or the reaction region, ideally at a speed of 50 km / s. For a cavity length of 30 meters, the round-trip time of the laser beam is 0.2 microseconds. As 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 light is received. Therefore, a speed greater than 50 km / s (5 mm / 0.1 microseconds = 50 km / s) is desired.

[0063] In another example, fuel pellets are injected into the tube as fuel to produce a direct fusion reaction (without X-ray irradiation from the black cavity), with the pellets traveling at speeds greater than 10 km / s (1 mm / 0.1 μs = 10 km / s). Thus, a high-energy pulse of 100 kilojoules, at a frequency of 50 Hz, and with a cavity length of 30 meters is shown.

[0064] In one example, the high velocity of the black cavity or pellet can range from 0.5 km / s to 60 km / s, but is preferably in the range of 2 to 50 km / s, depending on the size of the black cavity 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, then 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.

[0065] Figure 4 This is a simplified diagram of a black cavity device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the black cavity device encloses fuel pellets inside. In one example, the black cavity is a hollow cylindrical cavity that serves as a radiation source or energy source in a fusion reactor. It is typically made of a high-Z material (such as gold or tungsten) that absorbs and re-emits high-energy photons (such as X-rays). By irradiating the interior with a high-power laser to generate X-rays and then irradiating the fuel pellet cells with X-rays, the black cavity is used to generate the conditions for fusion, such as high temperature and high pressure. This process is known as indirect-driven fusion and is commonly used in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) systems.

[0066] In an ICF fusion reactor, the black cavity contains a fuel chamber filled with atoms such as deuterium and tritium. As shown in the diagram, when the inner wall of the black cavity is irradiated with high-energy photons (high-power lasers), the high-energy lasers generate X-rays, which then heat the fuel chamber to the point where the deuterium and tritium nuclei fuse together, releasing a large amount of energy in the process. The energy released from 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, such as helium, lithium, and boron, can be used.

[0067] The design of the black cavity is crucial to the success of the fusion reaction because it determines the conditions under which the fuel chamber is irradiated. To achieve ideal fusion conditions, factors such as the size and shape of the black cavity, the materials used to construct it, and the intensity and duration of photon irradiation must be carefully considered.

[0068] The black cavity can be surrounded by conductive coils, which generate a magnetic field during the implosion process to enhance the confinement of the high-density and high-temperature plasma.

[0069] If the laser-induced implosion pressure is high enough to suppress the various instabilities during the implosion process, fuel pellet units can implode to ignite a nuclear fusion reaction without a black cavity. This process is called direct-drive fusion.

[0070] Black cavity 3D designs come in various types: cylindrical, spherical, and hemispherical, with apertures for receiving high-power pulsed lasers.

[0071] Using a cavity length of 30 m and a reactor of the same size, a high-power pulsed laser of 100 kJ with a frequency of 50 Hz was obtained as described above. For other applications, 10 Hz is desirable for continuous laser fusion to provide sufficient energy continuously. Further details of embodiments of this invention can be found in this specification, and more specifically, below.

[0072] refer to Figure 5 We demonstrated a high-power pulsed laser with a frequency of 10 Hz using a 30-meter short cavity. The laser source consisted of a frequency of 1 MHz (a pulse repetition rate of 0.1 microseconds) and a pulse energy of 1 joule. The round-trip time of the 30-meter cavity was 0.2 microseconds. Over 5M cycles of the laser beam propagating between the mirrors, the pulse energy in the cavity increased from a first intensity to a second intensity and then to an Mth intensity every five round trips. As shown in the figure, through a total of 500,000 round trips, the 1 joule input pulse energy became 100 kilojoules.

[0073] Figure 6 and Figure 7 A high-power pulsed laser with a repetition rate of 10 Hz is shown after 100,000 round trips. As discussed, a 30-meter cavity requires 500,000 round trips to obtain a 100 kJ high-power pulse at a frequency of 10 Hz from a 1 joule laser source. The additional 400,000 round trips contribute to increasing the cavity's losses. As shown, using a 150-meter-long cavity, a high-power pulsed laser with a repetition rate of 10 Hz was obtained after 100,000 round trips.

[0074] For a cavity length of 150 meters, the round-trip time of the laser beam is 1 microsecond. The frequency of the laser source is 1 MHz (= 1 / (1 microsecond)). When the pulse energy of the laser source is 1 joule, after the laser beam propagates 100,000 times between each pair of mirrors, assuming negligible mirror losses, a total energy of 100 kilojoules with a repetition frequency of 10 Hz is (ideally) obtained in the cavity region. Using 200 pairs of mirrors or cavities, this system obtains a total energy of 20 megajoules in the reaction region. The repetition frequency of the 100 kilojoule high-power pulse is 10 Hz.

[0075] As illustrated in the example, it includes a (1) Joule-level laser source. For example, the laser source is configured for 1060 nm, but can be other wavelengths such as 530 nm and 350 nm. The length of the laser pulse is ten (10) nanoseconds or 1 to 10 nanoseconds. The period is 1 microsecond (or 1 MHz). In one example, 100,000 (100,000) cycles or round trips generate a 100 kilojoule high-power laser pulse in the cavity according to the invention. For example, the cavity length is 150 (150) meters, equivalent to a round trip cavity length of 300 (300) meters. The round trip time is 1 microsecond, and 100,000 round trips are generated in 0.1 seconds. Figure 6 As shown, for 100,000 round trips, we generate 1×10 at 10(10) Hz. 13 A pulse energy of watts (or 10 terawatts) or one hundred (100) kilojoules. When two hundred laser beams are used together in a fusion reactor, twenty (20) megajoules are obtained. In one instance, for continuous laser fusion or commercially available laser fusion to continuously provide sufficient power, megajoule pulses with a repetition frequency of 10 Hz are required. Using this invention, megajoule pulses with a repetition frequency of 10 Hz can be generated by using this system and method. Currently, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory can only generate one megajoule pulse per day.

[0076] In one example, the tube has an opening or output near the reaction region. Fuel pellets or black cavities are supplied to the center of the reactor or reaction region at a repetition frequency of 10 Hz. This repetition frequency is synchronized with the 10 Hz frequency of the high-power pulses to generate a fusion reaction by concentrating all high-power lasers from each cavity at the reactor center. In one example, the distance between the tube opening and the reaction region ranges from 0.01 mm to 1 m, and is preferably from 0.01 mm to 20 mm. This distance is small to maintain the spatial configuration (orientation) and balance of the black cavities without tilting. The shape inside 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 guidance of the black cavity into the tube. The black cavity is distributed through the tube opening and injected into the central region of the reactor by maintaining spatial orientation and balance without any tilting, such that all high-power laser beams aimed at the black cavity are irradiated onto 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 black cavity cannot maintain its balance and becomes tilted. Furthermore, the high-power laser beam is not uniformly irradiated through the two openings of the black cavity, which leads to a decrease in X-ray production and failure to generate a fusion reaction from the fuel pellet unit.

[0077] In one example, fuel pellets or black cavities are dispensed (or drawn) into the reaction zone at high speed due to the pressure difference between the tube opening region and the fuel pellet delivery or black cavity delivery device. At atmospheric pressure, the fuel pellets or black cavities are placed in and connected to a tube inside the delivery or supply device. The delivery or supply device is placed outside the reactor at atmospheric pressure. Gates or valves in the tube separating the reaction zone from atmospheric pressure are opened, and the fuel pellets or black cavities are transferred to the reaction zone at high speed by suction.

[0078] In one example, when a black cavity with a diameter of 5 mm interacts with a Fabry-Perot cavity at the intersection of all high-power lasers, focusing all the high-power lasers onto a small point at the center of the reactor, a velocity of 10 km / s is required. For a cavity length of 150 m, 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. The black cavity must traverse the cavity region before the next laser pulse. A black cavity velocity exceeding 10 km / s (5 mm / 0.5 microseconds = 10 km / s) is desirable.

[0079] In another example, fuel pellets are injected from a tube as fuel to generate a direct fusion reaction using a high-power laser, without using X-rays from the black cavity. The pellet velocity is greater than 2 km / s (1 mm / 0.5 microseconds = 2 km / s). A high-energy pulse of 100 kilojoules, with a frequency of 10 Hz and a cavity length of 150 m, was obtained. In one example, the high velocity of the black cavity or pellet can range from 2 km / s to 10 km / s, but is preferably greater than 2–10 km / s, depending on the size (diameter) of the black cavity or pellet intersecting the Fabry-Perot cavity at the center of the reactor or in the reaction region.

[0080] 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 source is 1 MHz (= 1 / (1 microsecond)). When the pulse energy of the laser source is 1 joule, after the laser beam propagates 100,000 times between each pair of mirrors, assuming that mirror losses in the cavity region are negligible, an ideal total energy of 100 kilojoules is achieved with a repetition frequency of 10 Hz. For 200 pairs of mirrors or cavities, a total energy of 20 megajoules is obtained in the reaction region. The repetition frequency of the 100 kilojoule high-power pulse is 10 Hz.

[0081] In one example, due to the pressure difference between the tube opening region (vacuum) and the fuel pellet delivery device or black cavity delivery device, the pellets or black cavity are delivered (or drawn) into the reaction zone at high speed. The supply device has a pressure of atmospheric pressure. The fuel pellet delivery device or black cavity delivery 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, a speed of 10 km / s is required to focus all the high-power lasers at that intersection onto a small point at the center of the reactor. As previously mentioned, for a cavity length of 150 m, 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 region. A speed greater than 10 km / s (5 mm / 0.5 microseconds = 10 km / s) is desirable.

[0082] 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 the black cavity. The pellet velocity is greater than 2 km / s (1 mm / 0.5 μs = 2 km / s). A high-energy pulse of 100 kJ, 10 Hz, and 150 m in cavity length is shown. The high velocities of the black cavity and pellets can range from 10 km / s to 2 km / s, but are preferably greater than 2–10 km / s, depending on the size or diameter of the black cavity and pellets passing through the Fabry-Perot cavity at the center of the reactor.

[0083] In the example with a cavity length of 150 meters and a reactor diameter of 150 meters, the advantage of this 150-meter cavity length is that the high-power pulsed laser has a lower repetition frequency of 10 Hz. 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 away from the fusion reaction region to prevent damage to the mirror. In other words, damage to the mirror caused by radiation from the nuclear fusion reaction is reduced.

[0084] Figure 8 This is a simplified diagram of a laser fusion system according to an example of the present invention, which includes mirrors coupled to a cavity length longer than the diameter of the internal reactor shell. As shown, the system has a reactor shell (e.g., a chamber), a covering structure, a heat exchange medium, a delivery device, a reaction zone, and multiple cavity regions. Each cavity region is equipped with a pair of mirrors. The laser source is configured as one mirror, while a photodiode sensing device is configured with another mirror opposite the laser source.

[0085] In one example, the reactor chamber can be very small, ranging in diameter from 0.5 meters to 10 meters, but can be smaller or larger. In another example, the covering structure and heat exchange medium are located inside or outside the small reactor chamber to effectively absorb fusion energy. In one example, as shown, the mirrors are located at 75 meters, which can be more or less away from the center of the small reactor, allowing a 150-meter cavity with a pair of mirrors to achieve the high-power pulses with a repetition frequency of 10 Hz discussed. Furthermore, since the mirrors are located at a distance of 75 meters from the center of the reactor, damage to the mirrors caused by radiation from the fusion reaction at the center of the reactor is reduced. Additionally, the volume of the reactor and cavity region is much smaller than in the examples described above. The vacuum pump is smaller, and ideal vacuum conditions can be achieved within a shorter time frame.

[0086] Figure 9 This is a simplified diagram of a laser fusion system according to an example of the present invention, which includes a pair of mirrors coupled to a cavity length longer than the diameter of the internal reactor shell. As shown, the pair of mirrors defines each cavity region. Each cavity extends through an aperture region communicating with the interior of the reactor chamber. Multiple cavities intersect at the reaction region of the reactor shell.

[0087] In one example, a laser fusion system is shown. The system has a reactor shell with an internal region maintained in a vacuum environment. In one example, the system has at least a pair of aperture regions spatially disposed along the periphery of the reactor shell. In one example, each aperture region has an aperture 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 communicates with the reaction region such that an optical cavity region is spatially configured to pass through the reaction region, pass through the pair of aperture regions opposite each other, and extend to the outside of the reaction region. In one example, a pair of mirrors are respectively disposed at a first end and a second end of the cavity region, each mirror having a mirror size of W. A laser source is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation coupled to one of the pair of mirrors such that the energy intensity of the laser beam propagating from the laser source between the pair of mirrors within the cavity region increases from a first intensity to a second intensity and then to an Mth intensity over M cycles of the laser beam propagating between the pair of mirrors, where M is greater than 1000 cycles. In one example, the system has a fuel pellet or a container containing the fuel pellet inside, 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, which is configured to reduce any damage to a mirror by reducing the aperture 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.

[0088] Figure 10 This is a simplified diagram of a laser fusion system according to an example of the present invention. As shown, the system has a high-power pulsed laser system configured with a fusion reactor. The fusion reactor comprises a core or black cavity within a covering structure, which absorbs fusion energy, including the momentum energy of neutrons, helium, and tritium, to generate thermal energy, and some of the neutrons are used to multiply the tritium for reuse as fuel. The thermal energy is then transferred to a surrounding heat exchange medium. The covering is surrounded by a heat exchange medium configured to transfer thermal energy from the covering to the medium. The heat exchange material must be able to circulate in tubes to travel to a heat exchange system connected to a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger transfers thermal energy from the medium to water to generate high-pressure steam, which rotates a turbine. The rotation of the turbine in a magnetic field generates electricity, which is then used as a generator on a private or public power grid.

[0089] In one example, the system includes a covering structure. The covering structure of a fusion reactor is a layer of material used to surround the plasma within the fusion reactor chamber. The primary function of the covering structure is to provide structural support for the plasma and protect it from the influence of the chamber walls. The covering structure is also responsible for transferring the heat generated by the plasma to the heat exchange medium. A covering containing beryllium microspheres effectively multiplies tritium by absorbing some neutrons.

[0090] Several factors need to be considered when designing the containment structure for a fusion reactor. One important factor is the material used for the containment structure. This material must be able to withstand the high temperatures and pressures of the plasma, as well as the radiation generated by the reaction. Commonly used materials for containment structures include refractory metals (such as tungsten and molybdenum) and alloys (such as stainless steel and Hastelloy).

[0091] Another factor to consider is the thickness of the covering structure. The thickness of the covering structure should be sufficient 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.

[0092] The geometry of the fusion reactor should also be considered when designing the covering structure. The covering structure should 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 covering structure comprises layers containing beryllium microspheres or Li₂TiO₃ and other compounds to multiply the tritium material.

[0093] In general, the ideal cover structure for a fusion reactor will be made of materials capable of withstanding the high temperatures and pressures of plasma, and it will have sufficient thickness to provide structural support and protection for the plasma while allowing heat to be efficiently transferred to the heat exchange medium. In one example, the cover structure has a thickness of 0.1 m to 1 m. The first wall structure of the cover is made of suitable materials such as reduced activated ferritic steel (e.g., RAF, reduced activated ferritic / martensitic steel), vanadium alloys (e.g., V-4Cr-4Ti, V alloy), silicon carbide composites (e.g., SiC / SiC composites), and combinations thereof.

[0094] In one example, the heat exchange material is configured to surround the covering structure. In another example, the heat exchange material for a fusion reactor is a substance used to transfer heat from plasma, ionized gas, and all types of radiation from the fusion reaction to the cooling system.

[0095] Several factors need to be considered when selecting heat exchange materials for fusion reactors. One important factor is the material's thermal conductivity, which is a measure of its ability to transfer heat. Materials with high thermal conductivity are more efficient at heat transfer and are therefore more suitable for use in fusion reactors. Some examples of materials with high thermal conductivity include metallic materials.

[0096] Another factor to consider is the material's melting point. The heat exchange material must be able to circulate in the pipes to travel to the heat exchange system, where heat is transferred to the water, which turns into steam and is then connected to a conventional steam turbine system. This requires the material to have a low melting point. Materials with low melting points include lithium and sodium.

[0097] In general, ideal heat exchange materials for fusion reactors will possess high thermal conductivity, low melting point, and good corrosion and erosion resistance. In one instance, this heat exchange material could be any suitable material, such as lithium and sodium. Of course, other changes, modifications, and alternatives are also possible.

[0098] Figure 11 This is a more detailed schematic diagram of a fusion system according to an example of the present invention. As shown, the system includes various elements, including input parameters and information, timing devices, driver devices, and a fusion system. The fusion system has an internal reaction region concentrically configured with an external heat exchange region. The reactor also has multiple laser devices, each configured as a pair of mirrors to form a cavity region. The multiple laser devices are spatially arranged around the periphery of the reaction region. The system has a black cavity or chip 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 chip or black cavity.

[0099] As shown in the figure, information and / or feedback from the laser source are fed into a processing platform. The processing platform can be a suitable computer-based processor, controller, or other type of processor. Examples of feedback may include signals from the source and photodiodes to detect transmitted light from the back side of each mirror, including pulse timing, frequency, power output, and other parameters. Parameters for the cyclic 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 devices, hard disk drives, and electronic and / or optical storage devices. Information from the processing platform is fed into a timing device. The timing device is configured with a clock signal, which is configured to generate one or more electronic signals for a drive unit. The drive unit includes one or more electrical outputs to send signals to various components of the reactor. These components include fuel pellets or black cavity supply devices. Further details of this system can be found in this specification, and more specifically, below.

[0100] Figure 12 This is a detailed schematic diagram of a timing device used in a fusion system, as described in this invention. As shown, the timing device receives inputs such as laser characteristics (e.g., operating status, pulse duration, pulse operation, frequency, and other information). The timing device includes programmable software and computer hardware. The timing device outputs on / off signals from the actuator to the fuel pellet supply or other system components.

[0101] In one instance, the computer used to control the drive, which is a high-speed drive, is also referred to as a "drive computer," and is a dedicated device for controlling and monitoring the operation of the high-speed drive (such as an actuator). In one instance, the drive computer typically includes a microprocessor or microcontroller, which is a central processing unit (CPU) responsible for controlling the operation of the drive. The drive computer also includes an input / output (I / O) interface, which allows the drive computer to receive input signals from sensors or other devices and output control signals to the drive. In one instance, the drive computer may also include memory for storing data and instructions, as well as various other hardware and software components that enable it to perform its functions. Some drive computers may also include additional features, such as communication interfaces for communicating with other devices or systems, or built-in diagnostic tools for monitoring the drive and troubleshooting drive malfunctions. Further details of this system and method are described below.

[0102] In one example, all laser sources should be synchronized for high-power pulsed lasers to strike the fuel pellets or black cavity at the center of the reactor. The position of the pellets or black cavity is monitored by lidar and cameras and fed back to a computer to synchronize with all laser sources, the signals from photodiodes located on the back of mirrors, the feed rate of the fuel pellets or black cavity, and the feed repetition frequency.

[0103] Figure 13 This is a timing diagram used in an example of this invention to generate high-intensity pulsed laser. As shown in the first row labeled "Light Source Power Intensity," each laser pulse from the light source has a pulse duration in the nanosecond range, for example, 1-10 nanoseconds. For example, the pulse frequency can range from 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, this method and system inject a chip or black cavity into the center of each cavity or reactor to initiate a fusion reaction.

[0104] In one example, this high-intensity pulsed laser system can be configured with a laser fusion system for energy generation. For instance, laser fusion is the process of using a laser to initiate and sustain a nuclear fusion reaction, which releases energy by combining atomic nuclei. This process has the potential to provide a virtually limitless and clean energy source. In laser fusion, a high-energy laser beam is used to generate plasma, a hot, ionized gas composed of free electrons and atomic nuclei. The plasma is then compressed and heated to extremely high temperatures and pressures, causing the 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 about laser fusion will be described below.

[0105] In one example, the present invention provides a laser fusion system. The system has a reactor shell, which includes an internal region maintained in a vacuum environment. The reactor shell forms a vacuum chamber. The system has a reaction region near the spatial center region of the reactor shell and a peripheral region formed inside the reactor shell, the peripheral region surrounding the reaction region. In one example, outside the reactor shell, connecting to the interior, the system forms radial protrusions while maintaining a vacuum, and in addition, forms a reflector internally, as shown in the figure.

[0106] In one example, the system has multiple cavity regions numbered 1 to N within the internal region of the reactor shell and spatially arranged around the peripheral region, such that each of the multiple 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 internal region. In one example, the multiple cavity regions are arranged in a spoke-axis configuration. Each cavity region has a central region concentric with the reaction region, and each cavity region has a first end coupled to a first side of the peripheral region and a second end coupled to a second side of the peripheral region. In one example, N is greater than 10 and can be 100, 200, or thousands, although fewer cavities may be possible in other examples.

[0107] In one example, a pair of mirrors are respectively disposed at a first end and a second end of the cavity region. In another example, a laser source is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation coupled to at least one of the pair of mirrors, such that the energy intensity of a laser beam propagating from the laser source between the pair of mirrors increases from a first intensity to a second intensity and then to an Mth intensity over M cycles of the laser beam propagating between the pair of mirrors, where M is greater than 1000 cycles, although it may be fewer or more.

[0108] In one instance, N is between 10 and 200; and M is equal to or greater than 1000.

[0109] In one example, the system has a fuel pellet or a container containing the fuel pellet inside, the fuel pellet or the container being disposed within the reaction region and coupled to the plurality of cavity regions when each of the cavity regions intersects spatially within the reaction region to provide an energy level sufficient to ignite the fuel pellet directly or indirectly (via X-ray radiation from the aforementioned black cavity interior) for a fusion reaction.

[0110] In one example, the system also has a photodiode detector device coupled to at least one mirror of each pair of mirrors and configured to be opposite the laser device.

[0111] In one example, each pair of mirrors is a curved or deformable mirror. In another example, each mirror is a highly reflective curved mirror with a reflectivity greater than 99.99%, which is focused onto the reaction region of the laser fusion system. In another example, each of the mirrors is placed inside the reactor shell and maintained in the vacuum environment. As shown, the optimal position of the mirrors is configured on the outside of the reactor shell, connecting to the inside, creating radial protrusions while maintaining the vacuum, and in addition, creating a reflector inside.

[0112] In one example, each cavity region is a Fabry-Perot resonator. In another example, the laser source is configured to output electromagnetic radiation with a power of 0.01 joules or more.

[0113] In one example, the tube opening region is a vacuum region coupled to the fuel pellet (or black cavity) delivery system. First, because the fuel pellet (or black cavity) delivery system is located outside the reactor, the pellets (or black cavities) are placed inside the system at atmospheric pressure. By opening a gate or valve in the tube, the fuel pellets (or black cavities) are drawn into the tube due to the pressure difference from atmospheric pressure to vacuum. Then, the fuel pellets (or cavities) are injected into the reaction zone at high speed from the tube opening.

[0114] 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 onto 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 onto the inner surface of the black cavity to generate X-rays, which irradiate the fuel pellets to generate a nuclear fusion reaction.

[0115] In one example, the system has a covering structure configured to absorb fusion energy from the reactor shell and adapted to convert it into thermal energy. The covering structure is coupled to a heat exchange medium configured to transfer thermal energy from the covering 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 generate high-pressure steam suitable for a rotating turbine, which is coupled to a generator to produce electrical energy. In another example, the covering structure and the heat exchange medium are placed in a region of the reactor shell with a smaller diameter than the diameter of the reactor shell in the peripheral area where the mirror is located, to effectively absorb fusion energy.

[0116] In one example, the system includes 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 drive device coupled between the timing device and the fuel pellet delivery device. In one example, the fuel pellets or black cavities are delivered through a tube near the reaction region of the laser fusion system. In one example, the tube has an opening less than 0.01 mm or 20 mm from the reaction region. In one example, the fuel pellets or black cavities are characterized by a velocity of 0.5 km / s to 100 km / s in the reaction region. In one example, the fuel pellets or black cavities are supplied in the reaction region at a repetition frequency of 1 Hz to 50 Hz, and in one example, the fuel pellets or black cavities are accelerated to high speeds by using a pressure difference between the fuel pellet or black cavity delivery device region and the opening region of the tube, or by propellant, or other energy or acceleration devices.

[0117] In one example, the cavity region is defined by a spatial length between each pair of mirrors, the spatial length being greater than the diameter of the reactor shell; and also includes a covering structure and a heat exchange medium disposed on the outer or inner wall of the reactor shell with a smaller diameter to reduce any damage to either of the mirrors caused by radiation generated by the fusion reaction at the reaction region in the laser fusion system.

[0118] In one example, the present invention provides a laser fusion system. The system has a reactor shell with an internal region maintained in a vacuum environment. The system has a plurality of perforated regions spatially disposed along the periphery of the reactor shell. In one example, the perforation size of each of the perforated regions is A. In another example, the system has a reaction region near the spatial center region of the reactor shell. The reaction region is characterized by a reactor length extending along the main cross-section of the reaction region.

[0119] In one example, a plurality of cavity regions numbered 1 to N communicate with the reaction region, such that each of the plurality of cavity regions is spatially configured to pass through the reaction region. Each of the plurality of cavities is configured to pass through a pair of opposing aperture regions and extend beyond the reaction region, such that the plurality of cavity regions form a spoke-axis configuration, and is characterized by an intersecting region within the spatial central region of the reaction region. In one example, N is greater than 10, but can be larger or smaller.

[0120] In one example, a pair of mirrors are respectively disposed at the first and second ends of each cavity region, and each mirror has a mirror size W.

[0121] In one example, the laser source is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation coupled to at least one of the pair of mirrors, such that the energy intensity of the laser beam propagating from the laser source between the pair of mirrors increases from a first intensity to a second intensity and then to an Mth intensity over M cycles of the laser beam propagating between the pair of mirrors, where M is greater than 1000 cycles.

[0122] In one instance, a fuel pellet or a container containing the fuel pellet is disposed within the reaction region and coupled to the plurality of cavity regions when each of the plurality of cavity regions intersects spatially within the reaction region to provide an energy level sufficient to ignite the fuel pellet for a fusion reaction.

[0123] 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 aperture size to a predetermined size to prevent radiation from the fusion reaction generated at the center of the reaction region from interacting with the mirrors through any of the cavity regions.

[0124] In one example, the hole size A is the diameter, width, height, or main dimension of the hole; and the mirror size W is the diameter, width, height, or main dimension of the mirror.

[0125] In one example, the present invention provides a laser fusion system. The system has a reactor shell with an internal region maintained in a vacuum environment. In one example, the system has at least one pair of aperture regions spatially disposed along the periphery of the reactor shell, each aperture region having an aperture size 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 communicates with the reaction region such that an optical cavity region is spatially disposed through the reaction region, configured to pass through a pair of opposing aperture regions, and extends to the outside of the reaction region. In one example, a pair of mirrors are respectively disposed at a first end and a second end of the cavity region, each mirror having a mirror size W. A laser source is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation coupled to one of the pair of mirrors, such that the energy intensity of a laser beam propagating from the laser 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 over M cycles of the laser beam propagating between the pair of mirrors, where M is greater than 1000 cycles. In one example, the system has a fuel pellet or a container containing the fuel pellet inside, 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, which is configured to reduce any damage to one of the mirrors by reducing the aperture size to a predetermined size to prevent radiation from the fusion reaction generated at the center of the reaction region from interacting with the mirrors through the cavity region.

[0126] While the foregoing is a complete description of specific examples, various modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents may be used. For example, the packaged device may include any combination of the elements described above, as well as elements outside this specification. In one example, a high-intensity laser uses the constructive interference of each laser beam to form a resonator between a pair of mirrors. In one example, a first path with a high-intensity pulsed laser is provided in the resonator device. In one example, the present invention provides a system and method for generating concentric or spherical resonators within a reaction region to focus a laser at the center of a reactor. Therefore, the foregoing description and illustrations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A laser fusion system, characterized by, The system comprises: a reactor housing having an interior region maintained in a vacuum environment; a reaction region near a spatial center region of the reactor housing; a plurality of cavity regions coupled to the interior region of the reactor housing; a pair of mirrors respectively configured at a first end and a second end of the cavity regions; 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 in M cycles of the laser beam propagating between the pair of mirrors; and a tube opening region having a lower pressure region coupled to a fuel pellet delivery device or a black cavity delivery device configured on a peripheral region of the reactor housing.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein, Further comprising: a fuel pellet or a container having the fuel pellet inside, the fuel pellet or the container disposed within the reaction region and coupled to the plurality of cavity regions to provide an energy level sufficient to ignite the fuel pellet for a fusion reaction.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein, Further comprising a photodiode detector device coupled to at least one mirror in each pair of mirrors and configured opposite the laser device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein, Each pair of mirrors is a curved or deformable mirror.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein, Each of the cavities is a Fabry-Perot resonant cavity.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein, The container is a black cavity.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein, 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 a fuel pellet.

8. The system of claim 2, wherein, 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 irradiate a fuel pellet to generate a nuclear fusion reaction.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein, Further comprising: a cover structure configured to the reactor housing and adapted to absorb fusion energy from the reactor housing to change the fusion energy to thermal energy, the cover structure coupled to a heat exchange medium configured to transfer the thermal energy from the cover structure to the heat exchange medium.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein, The heat exchange medium transfers the thermal energy from the heat exchange medium to water to generate high pressure steam adapted to rotate a turbine coupled to a generator to generate electrical energy.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein, 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.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein, Further comprising: a fuel pellet delivery device or a black cavity delivery device coupled to the reactor housing, 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 of claim 6, wherein, The fuel pellet or the black cavity is delivered through a tube or a path near the reaction region of the laser fusion system.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein, The cavity length is defined by a spatial length between each pair of mirrors; and further comprising a cover structure and a heat exchange medium configured on an inner wall of the reactor housing to reduce any damage to any of the mirrors by radiation generated by fusion reactions at the reaction region in the laser fusion system.

15. A laser fusion system, comprising: The system comprises: a reactor housing having an interior region maintained in a vacuum environment; a reaction region near a spatial center region of the reactor housing; a plurality of cavity regions numbered 1 through N coupled to the reactor housing; a laser light source configured to emit electromagnetic radiation coupled to at least one of a 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 in M cycles of the laser beam propagating between the pair of mirrors; a fuel pellet or a container having the fuel pellet inside, the fuel pellet or the container disposed within the reaction region; a cover structure configured within the reactor housing; and a heat exchange medium surrounding the cover structure.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein, The cavity region is defined by a spatial length between each pair of mirrors; and wherein the cover structure and the heat exchange medium are configured on an inner wall of the reactor housing to reduce any damage to any of the mirrors by radiation generated by fusion reactions at the reaction region in the laser fusion system.

17. A laser fusion system, comprising: The system comprises: a reactor housing: at least one pair of aperture regions spatially disposed along a periphery of the reactor housing, each of the aperture regions; a reaction region near a spatial center region of the reactor housing, the reaction region characterized by a reactor length extending along a major cross-section of the reaction region; at least one cavity region in communication with the reaction region and extending outside of the reaction region; a pair of mirrors respectively configured at a first end and a second end of the cavity region; and a laser light source 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 within the cavity region increases from a first intensity to a second intensity to an Mth intensity in M cycles of the laser beam propagating between the pair of mirrors. The cavity region is defined by a spatial length between each pair of mirrors; and wherein the cover structure and the heat exchange medium are configured on an inner wall of the reactor housing to reduce any damage to any of the mirrors by radiation generated by fusion reactions at the reaction region in the laser fusion system.

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