Device for generating a filamentous auxiliary discharge for a device for generating X-rays and particle radiation, and for a fusion reactor with the device for generating X-rays and particle radiation, and method for generating X-rays and particle radiation

Abstract

Device (10) for generating X-rays and particle radiation by means of nuclear fusion, comprising: - an anode (14) and a cathode (12) separated from each other by an insulator (16) and arranged coaxially to each other, wherein the anode (14) and the cathodes (12) are at least partially arranged in a reactor chamber; - a pre-discharge device for generating a filamentous pre-discharge which forms a low-resistance bridge across the insulator (16); - a gas contained in the reactor chamber; - an electrical pre-discharge source, particularly one with high internal resistance, connected to the pre-discharge device; and - an electrical discharge source electrically connected to the anode (14) and the cathode (12), wherein a dense, magnetically enclosed plasmoid is generated in front of the anode (14) as a result of an electrical discharge from the electrical discharge source and emits one or more ion beams, one or more X-rays, or combinations thereof, wherein the pre-discharge device comprises a first auxiliary electrode (214) and a second auxiliary electrode (212) separated from each other by the insulator (16) and arranged axially parallel to each other, wherein the first auxiliary electrode (214) and the second auxiliary electrode (212) are partially located in the reactor chamber, the first auxiliary electrode (214) having a plurality of first auxiliary electrode electrodes (214), and the second auxiliary electrode (212) having a plurality of second auxiliary electrode electrodes (212).and wherein the first auxiliary electrode (214) and the second auxiliary electrode (212) are configured to form a filamentous pre-discharge between the first auxiliary electrode electrodes (214) and the second auxiliary electrode electrodes (212).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present application relates to a device for generating X-rays and particle radiation by means of nuclear fusion, a fusion reactor having a device for generating X-rays and particle radiation, and a method for generating X-rays and particle radiation. In particular, the application relates to a device for generating X-rays and particle radiation by means of nuclear fusion, having a device for generating a defined, filamented pre-discharge, in particular a glow discharge, a fusion reactor having a device for generating X-rays and particle radiation, which has a device for generating a defined, filamented pre-discharge, in particular a glow discharge, and a method for generating X-rays and particle radiation and a defined, filamented pre-discharge, in particular a glow discharge. Background of the invention

[0002] Without wishing to limit the scope of the invention, the invention is described against the backdrop of fusion reactors. The increase in energy consumption and the disadvantages of fossil fuels have led to a search for alternative energy sources. One such energy source is fusion energy from thermonuclear fusion reactors, which represents a virtually unlimited energy source. However, scientific and technical challenges still remain.

[0003] In general, a fusion reactor comprises fusion fuel, often consisting of or containing a mixture of deuterium and tritium, which is heated to a very high temperature and maintained in a plasma state for a period of time. The plasma state is created using electrical energy. The plasma state contains ions that have sufficient energy to fuse. In order to fuse, the ions must be held together long enough for fusion to occur. This can be achieved, for example, by magnetic confinement. In general, the products of the fusion reactor can contain elements such as helium, neutrons, and energy. The energy released in most nuclear processes is much greater than in chemical reactions because the binding energy holding a nucleus together is much greater than the energy holding electrons to a nucleus.In most reactor designs, the energy released by the reaction is collected as thermal energy and then converted into electrical energy.

[0004] Several fusion devices have already been developed, including the tokamak reactor, z-pinch, spherical pinch, laser, ion or electrode beam, and spheromak. However, these reactors have not yet achieved their goal. One difficulty is that instabilities occur during heating of the plasma, preventing the magnetic fields from confining the heated, ionized gas for a sufficiently long time to exceed the viability limit for energy production.

[0005] Dense plasma focus (DPF) reactors have been discussed as a possible solution to the instability. These reactors utilize natural plasma instabilities to create magnetic confinement within a dense plasmoid, in contrast to the approach used in other devices that suppress the instabilities.

[0006] Such a method and device is described in US 7,482,607 B2 and EP 1 989 714 B1 by Lerner et al. The device described in US 7,482,607 B2 and EP 1 989 714 B1 comprises an anode and a number of cathodes separated from each other by an insulator and arranged coaxially with each other. The anode and the cathodes are at least partially arranged in a reactor chamber. The anode and the cathodes are arranged such that they can exert a torque on a plasmoid. For example, the cathodes can have a spiral twist to exert a torque on the plasmoid. Alternatively, a spiral coil can be positioned around the cathodes to exert a torque on the plasmoid and impart a precisely defined moment of inertia to it.The torque is intended to create a dense, magnetically enclosed plasmoid in a gas-filled reactor chamber, which in turn generates X-rays and particle radiation.

[0007] However, the conditions under which the torque is generated in the aforementioned device are not precisely defined. Therefore, the starting conditions for the process of generating X-rays and particle radiation through nuclear fusion are also not precisely defined.

[0008] S. Ahmad et al. describe “The effect of pre-ionization by a shunt resistor on the reproducibility of plasma focus x-ray emission” in the article of the same name in Plasma Sources Sci. Technol. 15 (2006) 314-321.

[0009] In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an apparatus and method for generating X-rays and particle radiation that provides an improvement in at least some of the problem areas identified above. Summary of the invention

[0010] The present invention recognizes the need for a device for generating a defined, in particular filamentary, pre-discharge or auxiliary discharge for a fusion reactor, in particular for a device and method for generating X-rays and particle radiation by means of nuclear fusion. The device for generating a defined, in particular filamentary, pre-discharge can be particularly suitable for generating defined starting conditions, for example, for a moment of inertia. The present invention provides a device for generating X-rays and particle radiation by means of nuclear fusion according to claim 1 and a method for generating X-rays and particle radiation according to claim 11.

[0011] According to one aspect, an apparatus for generating X-rays and particle radiation by means of nuclear fusion is provided.The device comprises: an anode and a cathode or a number of cathodes separated from each other by an insulator and arranged coaxially to each other, wherein the anode and the cathode(s) are at least partially arranged in a reactor chamber; a pre-discharge device for generating a filamentary pre-discharge forming a low-resistance bridge across the insulator; a gas contained in the reactor chamber; an electrical pre-discharge source, in particular with high internal resistance, connected to the pre-discharge device; and an electrical discharge source electrically connected to the anode and the cathode, wherein a dense, magnetically confined plasmoid is generated in front of the anode as a result of an electrical discharge from the electrical discharge source and emits one or more ion beams, one or more X-rays, or combinations thereof.

[0012] According to one aspect, a fusion reactor is provided with a device for generating X-ray radiation and particle radiation.The device comprises: an anode and a cathode separated from each other by an insulator and arranged coaxially to each other, wherein the anode and the cathodes are at least partially arranged in a reactor chamber; a pre-discharge device for generating a filamented pre-discharge forming a low-resistance bridge across the insulator; a gas contained in the reactor chamber; an electrical pre-discharge source, in particular with high internal resistance, connected to the pre-discharge device; and an electrical discharge source electrically connected to the anode and the cathode, wherein a dense, magnetically enclosed plasmoid is generated in front of the anode as a result of an electrical discharge from the electrical discharge source and emits one or more ion beams, one or more X-rays, or combinations thereof.

[0013] According to one aspect, a method for generating X-rays and particle radiation is provided. The method comprises: generating a filamentary pre-discharge forming a low-resistance bridge across an insulator using an electrical pre-discharge source; connecting an anode and a cathode separated by the insulator and arranged coaxially to each other using an electrical discharge source; forming a plasma layer of a gas having a magnetic field by discharging an electric current pulse across the anode and the cathode; forming a plasmoid in front of the anode as a result of the magnetic field; and emitting, from the plasmoid, one or more ion beams, one or more X-rays, or combinations thereof, wherein the emission is a result of a decay of the magnetic field of the plasmoid and the collision of electrons and ions in the plasmoid. Short description of the characters

[0014] The invention will be explained below with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures, from which further advantages and modifications emerge. These show: Fig. 1A is a schematic side view of a device according to embodiments; Fig. 1B is a schematic side view of a device according to embodiments; Fig. 2 a schematic side view of a device according to embodiments; Fig. 3A is a schematic plan view of a device according to embodiments; Fig. 3B is a schematic plan view of a device according to embodiments; Fig. 4 a schematic side view of a device according to embodiments; Fig. 5 is a schematic side view of a device according to embodiments; and Fig. 6 a flowchart of a method according to embodiments. Detailed description of the characters

[0015] While the invention is described below with reference to detailed embodiments, it should be recognized that the present invention is based on a general inventive concept that can be applied to a wide variety of specific contexts. The terminology used herein and the embodiments described herein are for the purpose of illustration and explanation only, and are not limiting. For example, features described or illustrated as part of one embodiment may also be used in conjunction with another embodiment to provide a further embodiment. It is intended that the present disclosure encompass such modifications and developments.

[0016] In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals designate the same or similar components. Generally, only the differences from one embodiment are described. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the description of a part or aspect of one embodiment applies equally to a corresponding part or aspect of another embodiment.

[0017] The Fig. Figure 1A shows a device 10 for generating X-rays and particle radiation using nuclear fusion. The device 10 may, for example, be a plasma focus device 10.

[0018] The device 10 may have a first main electrode 14 and / or a second main electrode 12. The first main electrode 14 may be an anode 14 and / or the second main electrode 12 may be a cathode 12. Alternatively, the first main electrode 14 may be a cathode 14 and / or the second main electrode 12 may be an anode 12. The choice of the sign of the voltage between the first main electrode 14 and the second main electrode 12 may provide specific advantages. For example, the second main electrode 12 may offer a larger surface area and thus dissipate heat better. In the following, the first main electrode 14 is referred to as the anode and the second main electrode 12 as the cathode 12. However, this is only an example and should not be read as limiting.Thus, the present application also includes embodiments that differ from embodiments described herein in that the first main electrode 14 is the cathode and the second main electrode 12 is the anode 12.

[0019] The first main electrode 14 and the second main electrode 12 may be separated from each other by an insulator 16. The first main electrode 14 and the second main electrode 12 may be arranged coaxially with each other. The first main electrode 14 and the second main electrode 12 may be arranged at least partially in a reactor chamber (not shown).

[0020] The cathode 12 can alternatively be designed as a hollow cylinder (see Fig. 3B), since in particular the filamentation of the discharge can be achieved by the auxiliary electrodes.

[0021] The first main electrode 14 may be an anode 14 and / or the second main electrode 12 may be a cathode 12. Alternatively, the first main electrode 14 may be a cathode 14 and / or the second main electrode 12 may be an anode 12.

[0022] According to embodiments described herein, the second main electrode 12 can be formed as a hollow cylinder. In particular, the second main electrode 12 can comprise a non-magnetic or only weakly magnetic material. Alternatively or additionally, the second main electrode 12 can comprise a plurality of second main electrodes 12.

[0023] The device 10 can have a pre-discharge device or auxiliary discharge device for generating a filamentary pre-discharge or auxiliary discharge. The filamentary pre-discharge can form a low-resistance, in particular filamentary, bridge across the insulator 16. In particular, the pre-discharge can create a controlled conductive connection across the insulator, which leads to the formation of filaments. For the duration of the pre-discharge, a current can therefore flow parallel to the insulator, in particular at defined points between which filaments can form. The filaments can form, in particular, between two paired points. The device 10 can further have a pre-discharge source 200 or auxiliary discharge source 200, in particular with a high internal resistance. The pre-discharge source 200 can be connected to the pre-discharge device.

[0024] The pre-discharge can be generated in different ways. For example, the pre-discharge can be a glow discharge, a dielectric barrier discharge, a microwave plasma, and / or an RF (radio frequency) plasma. A glow discharge can be generated, for example, using a glow discharge device as described herein. A glow discharge can be generated particularly easily and with little effort. For example, a glow discharge can be generated with less than 100 W and 2 kV.

[0025] A dielectric barrier discharge can be generated, for example, using a dielectric barrier discharge device in which an alternating voltage is applied between at least two electrodes. In a dielectric barrier discharge, an auxiliary electrode can be arranged in the insulator 16 such that the auxiliary electrode 16 is sealed by the insulator 16. In the case of a dielectric barrier discharge, a dielectric barrier discharge source applies an alternating voltage to the thus insulated auxiliary electrode, whereas a glow discharge source applies a direct voltage. Displacement currents thus generated can generate the dielectric barrier discharge through the insulator 16 and / or electrical power can be transferred into the plasma.

[0026] A microwave plasma can be generated, for example, using a microwave plasma device connected to a microwave plasma source. A waveguide and / or a λ / 4 resonator can be used for this purpose.

[0027] An RF plasma can be generated, for example, using an RF plasma device connected to an RF plasma source. RF plasma can typically be generated at a frequency of 13.56 MHz. Both capacitive and inductive coupling of the power are possible.

[0028] The examples mentioned can produce a plasma that has low energy and / or high conductivity. Such a plasma may be particularly advantageous for the pre-discharge described herein.

[0029] Although the disclosure below is presented in connection with a glow discharge by way of example, the general principles also apply to other types of pre-discharge, and the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the example of a glow discharge, although glow discharge does offer particular advantages. Thus, the "pre-discharge" will also be referred to below as "glow discharge," and thus the "pre-discharge device" will be referred to as "glow discharge device," and the "pre-discharge source" will be referred to as "glow discharge source." However, the terms can be considered analogous to the extent that they do not entail a specific limitation to glow discharge.

[0030] As in the Fig. 1B, the pre-discharge device or glow discharge device can have a first auxiliary electrode 214 and / or a second auxiliary electrode 212. The first auxiliary electrode 214 and the second auxiliary electrode 212 can be separated from one another by the insulator 16. The first auxiliary electrode 214 and the second auxiliary electrode 212 can be arranged concentrically and axially parallel to one another around the anode 14. The first auxiliary electrode 214 and the second auxiliary electrode 212 can be arranged at least partially in the reactor chamber. The first auxiliary electrode 214 can have a plurality of first auxiliary electrodes 214. The second auxiliary electrode 212 can have a plurality of second auxiliary electrodes 212. The plurality of second auxiliary electrode electrodes 212 and the plurality of first auxiliary electrode electrodes 214 can be arranged coaxially.Furthermore, a second auxiliary electrode 212 of the plurality of second auxiliary electrodes 212 can be arranged axially parallel to a corresponding first auxiliary electrode 214 of the plurality of first auxiliary electrodes 214. The first auxiliary electrodes 214 and the second auxiliary electrodes 212 can be configured to form a glow discharge between the first auxiliary electrodes 214 and the second auxiliary electrodes 212.

[0031] According to embodiments described herein, a number of the plurality of cathode electrodes 12 may correspond to a number of the plurality of first auxiliary electrodes 214 and / or a number of the plurality of second auxiliary electrodes 212.

[0032] According to embodiments described herein, the first auxiliary electrode 214 may be an auxiliary anode 214 and / or the second auxiliary electrode 212 may be an auxiliary cathode 212 (as in Fig. 1B). Alternatively, the first auxiliary electrode 214 may be an auxiliary cathode 214 and / or the second auxiliary electrode 212 may be an auxiliary anode 212.

[0033] The device 10 may contain a gas in the reactor chamber.

[0034] The device 10 may include an electrical pre-discharge source 200 or glow discharge source 200. The electrical glow discharge source may have a high internal resistance. The electrical glow discharge source may be electrically connected to the auxiliary anode 214 and the auxiliary cathode 212. A glow discharge may be generated between the auxiliary anode 214 and the auxiliary cathode 212 as a result of an electrical pre-discharge of the electrical glow discharge source.

[0035] The device 10 may include an electrical discharge source 15. The electrical discharge source 15 may be electrically connected to the anode 14 and the cathode 12. A dense, magnetically confined plasmoid may be generated in front of the anode 14 as a result of an electrical discharge from the electrical discharge source 15, and one or more ion beams, one or more x-rays, or combinations thereof may be emitted.

[0036] In particular, the device 10 may include a plasma focus device 10 as described by Lerner et al. in US Pat. No. 7,482,607 B2 and EP 1 989 714 B1, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety into this application, but which is expanded to include a device for generating a defined glow discharge. The device for generating a defined glow discharge may include the first auxiliary electrode 214, the second auxiliary electrode 212, and / or the electrical pre-discharge source 200.

[0037] The glow discharge can be generated as a quiescent glow discharge. In the context of the present disclosure, a "quiescent glow discharge" can be understood as a glow discharge whose moment of inertia is (exactly) zero. Furthermore, a highly ionized pre-discharge can already be present at the beginning of the high-current main discharge by the electrical discharge source. This can prevent high-energy runaway electrons, which would be generated without a glow discharge, from eroding the anode and thereby introducing impurities into the plasma, resulting in strong radiative cooling. In practice, embodiments can stabilize the plasmoid.

[0038] The glow discharge can be configured to have and / or consist of a plurality of individual discharges. The plurality of individual discharges can be connected in parallel. The number of the plurality of individual discharges can be identical to the number of the plurality of auxiliary cathode electrodes 12. The main discharge can form a few picoseconds to milliseconds later. The individual glow discharges connected in parallel can reduce the total inductance inversely proportional to their number and can thus enable a faster increase in the main discharge current.

[0039] As in the Fig. As shown in Figure 1B, the device 10 may have a nested electrode design. In particular, the cathode 12 may be arranged around the anode 14. Furthermore, the first auxiliary electrode 214 may be arranged around the anode 14. The second auxiliary electrode 212 may be arranged around the first auxiliary electrode 214. The cathode 14 may be arranged around the second auxiliary electrode 212. In particular, the anode 14, the cathode 12, the first auxiliary electrode 214, and / or the second auxiliary electrode 212 may be arranged coaxially and / or concentrically axially parallel to one another.

[0040] The cathode 12 can, for example, comprise a plurality of cathode electrodes 12 or be formed as a hollow cylinder. The cathode electrodes 12 can be evenly distributed rods. The anode 14 can be formed as a hollow cylinder. The insulator 16 can surround the anode 14, in particular a base of the anode 14. For example, the device 10 can comprise nested beryllium electrodes. The cathode 12, the anode 14, the second auxiliary electrode 212, and / or the first auxiliary electrode 214 can be enclosed in the reactor chamber, which can be a vacuum chamber, with a gas (e.g., diborane) under low pressure filling a space between them, in particular to provide the fuel for the reaction.

[0041] The anode 14 can be connected to the cathode 12 via one or more capacitor banks 18 and one or more switches 20. The one or more capacitor banks 18 and the one or more switches 20 can form the electrical discharge source 15 and / or be part of it. The first auxiliary electrode 214 can be connected to the second auxiliary electrode 212 via one or more auxiliary capacitor banks 218 or DC sources 218 and one or more auxiliary switches 220. The auxiliary switch 220 can be a low-voltage switch. The one or more auxiliary capacitor banks 218 and the one or more auxiliary switches 220 can form the electrical pre-discharge source 200 or glow discharge source 200 and / or be part of it. The electrical pre-discharge source 200 or glow discharge source 200 can possibly also be implemented inductively by means of an ignition transformer.

[0042] According to embodiments described herein, the electrical glow discharge source can be configured to generate an electrical pre-discharge of equal to or greater than 0.5 kV, in particular equal to or greater than 1 kV, preferably equal to or greater than 2 kV. In particular, the voltage of the electrical pre-discharge can depend on a pressure in the reactor chamber. If the pressure in the reactor chamber is comparatively high, the electrical pre-discharge can be comparatively large, and / or vice versa. The electrical glow discharge source can have one or more internal resistors or series resistors. In particular, the electrical glow discharge source can have a plurality of series resistors. A number of the plurality of series resistors can correspond to the number of the plurality of first auxiliary electrodes 214. The series resistors can be connected to a common voltage source.The voltage source can supply a current of several mA, in particular greater than or equal to 0.8 mA and / or less than or equal to 3 mA, per series resistor and / or per first auxiliary electrode 214. The series resistors can, for example, each have a resistance of 500 kOhm or greater. The glow discharge can be ignited a few milliseconds to seconds before the main discharge.

[0043] The electrical glow discharge source may further include a diode 222. The diode 222 may be arranged between the one or more switches 220 and the one or more auxiliary capacitor banks 218 or DC sources. In particular, only one switch 220 may be provided to switch the one or more auxiliary capacitor banks 218. Furthermore, no switch 220 may be provided, and the diode 222 may perform the switching function. According to one embodiment, a capacitor bank, such as the one or more auxiliary capacitor banks 218, may be a DC source. The diode 222 may be a low-power, high-voltage diode. The diode 222 may be arranged accordingly, depending on which auxiliary electrode 212, 214 is configured as an auxiliary anode or auxiliary cathode. Thus, embodiments can be small, compact, and cost-effectively implemented in practice.

[0044] According to embodiments described herein, the electrical glow discharge source may be configured to generate the glow discharge between the first auxiliary electrode 214 and the second auxiliary electrode 212. In particular, the electrical glow discharge source may be configured to generate the glow discharge only between the first auxiliary electrode 214 and the second auxiliary electrode 212.

[0045] According to embodiments described herein, the cathode 12 may comprise a conductive disk. The plurality of cathode electrodes 12 may be mounted on the disk. In particular, the conductive disk may extend toward the anode 14. For example, the conductive disk may have a recess in which the anode 14 and / or the insulator 16 are disposed. In particular, the insulator 16 may be disposed between the conductive disk of the cathode 12 and the anode 14.

[0046] According to embodiments described herein, the cathode 12 and the auxiliary cathode (i.e., the auxiliary electrode 212, 214 configured as an auxiliary cathode) may be electrically connected to one another. For example, the auxiliary cathode electrodes (i.e., the auxiliary electrode electrodes 212, 214 configured as auxiliary cathode electrodes) may be mounted on and / or within the cathode 12. In particular, the plurality of auxiliary cathode electrodes may be evenly distributed rods mounted within the cathode 12. If the cathode 12 and the auxiliary cathode are electrically connected to one another, the electrical glow discharge source may be connected to the cathode 12.

[0047] The second auxiliary electrodes 212 can each have a first end 212a and a second end 212b. The first end 212a can be connected to the electrical pre-discharge source, a ground potential, and / or the cathode 12. The second end 212b can be remote from the first end 212a. The first auxiliary electrodes 214 can each have a first end 214a and a second end 214b. The first end 214a can be connected to the electrical pre-discharge source. The second end 214b can be remote from the first end 214a.

[0048] According to embodiments described herein, a distance between the second end 214b of the first auxiliary electrode 214 and the second end 212b of the second auxiliary electrode 212 may be smaller than a distance between the second end 214b of the first auxiliary electrode 214 and the cathode 12, in particular a closest point of the cathode 12. This can ensure that the glow discharge forms between the first auxiliary electrode 214 and the second auxiliary electrode 212 and in particular not between the first auxiliary electrode 214 and the cathode 12.

[0049] The second end 214 of the first auxiliary electrode 214 and the second end 212b of the second auxiliary electrode 212 may be parallel and concentric along an axis of the anode 14, each having a different height. For example, the second end 214 of the first auxiliary electrode 214 may be farther from the conductive disk of the cathode 12 than the second end 212b of the second auxiliary electrode 212. This suspended arrangement can create a hot, more easily ionizable gas column.

[0050] As in the Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the device 10 may include a coil 22. The coil 22 may be a spiral coil 22. The coil 22 may be arranged around the anode 14, the cathode 12, the first auxiliary electrode 212, and / or the second auxiliary electrode 214. The coil 22 may generate a magnetic field that may impart torque and thus a moment of inertia to the plasmoid. The coil 22 may be connected to a switch 26. Furthermore, a voltage source 24 may be provided. The voltage source 24 may be separate from the voltage source of the electrical glow discharge source and / or the electrical discharge source. This allows the coil to be operated independently of the electrical glow discharge source and / or the electrical discharge source. Alternatively, a common voltage source may also be used. The position of the coil 22 and its number of turns may depend on the specific application.

[0051] The Fig. 3A shows a plan view of an arrangement of the anode 14, the cathode 12, the first auxiliary electrode 214, the second auxiliary electrode 212 and the insulator 16.

[0052] The Fig. 3B shows a plan view of an arrangement of the anode 14, the cathode 12, the first auxiliary electrode 214, the second auxiliary electrode 212 and the insulator 16. Here, the cathode 12 is designed as a hollow cylinder.

[0053] According to embodiments described herein, the first auxiliary electrode electrodes 214 can run within the insulator 16. According to embodiments described herein, the insulator 16 can therefore at least partially enclose the first auxiliary electrode electrodes 214. In particular, the second auxiliary electrode electrodes 214 can be formed as thin conductors that run within the insulator 16. Furthermore, the second auxiliary electrode electrodes 214 can run symmetrically and axially parallel within the insulator 16. The second ends 214b or anode-side ends of the first auxiliary electrode electrodes 214 can protrude from the insulator 16. The second ends 214b of the first auxiliary electrode electrodes 214 can therefore protrude from the insulator 16.

[0054] The second auxiliary electrodes 212 can be formed as protruding pins of the conductive disc of the cathode 12. By selecting a suitable material for the second auxiliary electrode 212, the stability of the glow discharge can be optimized.

[0055] As in the Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B, a first auxiliary electrode 214, a second auxiliary electrode 212, and / or a cathode electrode 12 can each be arranged on a radial line starting from a center point of the anode 14. In particular, along the radial line, a distance between the first auxiliary electrode 214 and the second auxiliary electrode 212 can be smaller than a distance between the first auxiliary electrode 214 and the cathode electrode 12. The number of the first auxiliary electrode 214, the second auxiliary electrode 212, and / or the cathode electrodes 12 can correspond to one another.

[0056] As in the Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the cathode 12, in particular the plurality of cathode electrodes 12, can be inclined or tilted. The degree of inclination can depend on the intended application. For example, the cathode 12, in particular the plurality of cathode electrodes 12, can be inclined by equal to or more than 0.05 degrees and / or equal to or less than 10 degrees, for example, 0.3 degrees. The inclination can be tangential to the axis of the anode 12. By inclining the cathode 12, a torque can be exerted on the plasmoid, which subsequently generates a defined moment of inertia.

[0057] Furthermore, the first end 212a of the second auxiliary electrode 212, in particular the first ends 212a of the plurality of second auxiliary electrodes 212, can be aligned with the first end 214a of the first auxiliary electrode 214, in particular the first ends 214a of the plurality of first auxiliary electrodes 214. This can be particularly advantageous when the cathode 12, in particular the plurality of cathode electrodes 12, is inclined or tilted.

[0058] The Fig. Figure 5 shows, by way of example, the device 10 with the inclined cathode 12 and the coil 22. This combination offers the advantage of applying a variable torque to the plasmoid. The coil 22 can thus be configured to impart a variable torque to the plasmoid, in particular to impart a variable moment of inertia to the plasmoid at the end of the acceleration.

[0059] Embodiments described herein provide a fusion reactor. The fusion reactor may comprise at least one device 10 for generating X-rays and particle radiation. The fusion reactor may comprise at least one energy recovery device that can recover the energy contained in the X-rays and / or the particle radiation. The energy recovery device may, in particular, convert the energy contained in the X-rays and / or the particle radiation into electrical energy. The energy contained in the X-rays can, for example, be converted into electrical energy by utilizing the photoelectric effect. Furthermore, the energy contained in the particle beam can be converted using a transformer; see, for example, Lerner et al. Fig. 11. The particle beam can be a pulsed current, which can therefore represent a primary winding of the transformer

[0060] The Fig.6 shows a method 300 for generating X-rays and particle radiation. The method may comprise one or more of blocks 310 to 360. According to block 310, a filamentary pre-discharge, which forms a low-resistance bridge across an insulator 16, may be generated by means of an electrical pre-discharge source. For example, a first auxiliary electrode 214 and a second auxiliary electrode 212, which are separated from one another by the insulator 16 and arranged coaxially to one another, may be connected by means of an electrical pre-discharge source. According to optional block 320, a pre-discharge may be formed between the first auxiliary electrode 214 and the second auxiliary electrode 212 by pre-discharging an electrical pre-discharge current via the first auxiliary electrode 214 and the second auxiliary electrode 212. In particular, the pre-discharge may be generated using the electrical pre-discharge source.According to block 330, an anode 14 and a cathode 12, which are separated from each other by an insulator 16 and arranged coaxially to each other, can be connected by means of an electrical discharge source. According to block 340, a plasma layer of a gas with a magnetic field can be formed by discharging an electrical current pulse across the anode 14 and the cathode 12. In particular, the discharge or main current discharge can be generated using the electrical discharge source. For example, the discharge can occur within 1 µs or more after the pre-discharge. According to block 350, a plasmoid can be formed in front of the anode 14 as a result of the magnetic field. According to block 360, one or more particle beams, one or more x-rays, or combinations thereof can be emitted from the plasmoid.In particular, the emission may be a result of a decay of the magnetic field of the plasmoid and the collision of electrons and ions in the plasmoid.

[0061] While the foregoing refers to embodiments of the disclosure, other and further embodiments of the disclosure may be derived without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The disclosure is intended to include such modifications and developments. The scope of protection is determined by the appended claims.

Claims

[1] Device (10) for generating X-rays and particle radiation by means of nuclear fusion, comprising: - an anode (14) and a cathode (12) separated from one another by an insulator (16) and arranged coaxially to one another, the anode (14) and the cathodes (12) being arranged at least partially in a reactor chamber; - a pre-discharge device for generating a filamentary pre-discharge which forms a low-resistance bridge across the insulator (16); - a gas contained in the reactor chamber; - an electrical pre-discharge source, in particular with high internal resistance, which is connected to the pre-discharge device; and - an electrical discharge source electrically connected to the anode (14) and the cathode (12), wherein a dense, magnetically enclosed plasmoid is generated in front of the anode (14) as a result of an electrical discharge from the electrical discharge source and emits one or more ion beams, one or more x-rays, or combinations thereof, wherein the pre-discharge device comprises a first auxiliary electrode (214) and a second auxiliary electrode (212) separated from one another by the insulator (16) and arranged axially parallel to one another, wherein the first auxiliary electrode (214) and the second auxiliary electrode (212) are arranged partially in the reactor chamber, the first auxiliary electrode (214) has a plurality of first auxiliary electrode electrodes (214) and the second auxiliary electrode (212) has a plurality of second auxiliary electrode electrodes (212),and wherein the first auxiliary electrode (214) and the second auxiliary electrode (212) are configured to form a filamentary pre-discharge between the first auxiliary electrode electrodes (214) and the second auxiliary electrode electrodes (212). [2] The device according to claim 1, wherein the first auxiliary electrode (214) and the second auxiliary electrode (212) are configured to form a filamented glow discharge between the first auxiliary electrode electrodes (214) and the second auxiliary electrode electrodes (212), and / or wherein the electrical pre-discharge source is electrically connected to the first auxiliary electrode (214) and the second auxiliary electrode (212), wherein a filamented pre-discharge, in particular a filamented glow discharge, is generated between the first auxiliary electrode (214) and the second auxiliary electrode (212) as a result of the electrical pre-discharge of the electrical pre-discharge source [3] The device according to claim 2, wherein the first auxiliary electrode (214) is an auxiliary anode (214), the first auxiliary electrode electrodes (214) are auxiliary anode electrodes (214), the second auxiliary electrode (212) is an auxiliary cathode (212), and the second auxiliary electrode electrodes (212) are auxiliary cathode electrodes (214), or wherein the first auxiliary electrode (214) is an auxiliary cathode (214), the first auxiliary electrode electrodes (214) are auxiliary cathode electrodes (214), the second auxiliary electrode (212) is an auxiliary anode (212), and the second auxiliary electrode electrodes (212) are auxiliary anode electrodes (214). [4] Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cathode (12) has a plurality of cathode electrodes (12). [5] The device of claim 4, wherein the cathode (12) comprises a conductive disc and the plurality of cathode electrodes (12) are mounted on the disc. [6] Device according to claim 2 and 4, wherein a number of the plurality of cathode electrodes (12) corresponds to a number of the plurality of first auxiliary electrode electrodes (214) and / or a number of the plurality of second auxiliary electrode electrodes (212). [7] Device according to one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the cathode (12) and the auxiliary cathode (212) are electrically connected to one another, in particular short-circuited. [8] Device according to one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the insulator (16) at least partially encloses the first auxiliary electrode electrodes (214), in particular wherein the first auxiliary electrode electrodes (214) run in the insulator (16), are separated from one another and / or are arranged coaxially to the anode (14). [9] Device according to one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the electrical pre-discharge source is configured to generate an electrical pre-discharge of equal to or greater than 0.5 kV, in particular equal to or greater than 1 kV, preferably equal to or greater than 2 kV by means of a plurality of series resistors. [10] Fusion reactor with a device (10) for generating X-rays and particle radiation according to one of claims 1 to 9. [11] A method for generating X-rays and particle radiation, comprising: - generating a filamentary pre-discharge which forms a low-resistance bridge across an insulator (16) by means of an electrical pre-discharge source, wherein the filamentary pre-discharge is formed between a first auxiliary electrode (214) and a second auxiliary electrode (212) which are separated from one another by the insulator (16) and are arranged axially parallel to one another, and wherein the first auxiliary electrode (214) has a plurality of first auxiliary electrode electrodes (214) and the second auxiliary electrode (212) has a plurality of second auxiliary electrode electrodes (212); - connecting an anode (14) and a cathode (12) separated from each other by the insulator (16) and arranged coaxially to each other by means of an electrical discharge source; - forming a plasma channel from a gas with a magnetic field by discharging an electric current pulse across the anode (14) and the cathode (12); - forming a plasmoid in front of the anode (14) as a result of the magnetic field; and - Emitting, from the plasmoid, one or more particle beams, one or more X-ray beams or combinations thereof, wherein the emission is a result of a decay of the magnetic field of the plasmoid and the collision of electrons and ions in the plasmoid. [12] A method according to claim 11, wherein the discharge occurs within 1 µs or more after the pre-discharge.

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