DEVICE FOR GENERATING A FILAMENTED AID DISCHARGE FOR A DEVICE FOR GENERATING X-RAYS AND PARTICLE RADIATION AND FOR A FUSE RECORD WITH THE DEVICE FOR GENERATING X-RAYS AND PARTICLE RADIATION AND METHOD FOR GENERATING X-RAYS AND PARTICLE RADIATION

Description

Technical field

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

[0002] Without limiting the scope of the invention, it is described in the context of fusion reactors. The increasing energy consumption and the disadvantages of fossil fuels have led to a search for alternative energy sources. One such energy source is the 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 contains fusion fuel, often a mixture of deuterium and tritium, which is heated to a very high temperature and maintained in a plasma state for a certain period of time. The plasma state is created using electrical energy. The plasma contains ions with sufficient energy to fuse. For fusion to occur, the ions must be held together long enough for fusion to take place. This can be achieved, for example, through magnetic confinement. Generally, the products of a fusion reactor can include 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 that holds a nucleus together is much greater than the energy that holds 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 lies in the fact that instabilities occur when heating the plasma, preventing the magnetic fields from confining the heated, ionized gas for a sufficiently long time to exceed the economic threshold for energy production.

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

[0006] Such a method and apparatus is described in US 7,482,607 B2 and EP 1 989 714 B1 by Lerner et al. The apparatus described in US 7,482,607 B2 and EP 1 989 714 B1 comprises an anode and a number of cathodes separated from one another by an insulator and arranged coaxially. The anode and cathodes are at least partially located within a reactor chamber. The anode and cathodes are arranged such that they can exert a torque on a plasmoid. For example, the cathodes may have a spiral twist to exert a torque on the plasmoid. Alternatively, a spiral coil may be positioned around the cathodes to exert a torque on the plasmoid and impart a well-defined moment of inertia.The torque is intended to generate 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 via nuclear fusion are also not precisely defined.

[0008] US 2004 / 071267 A1 discloses a density plasma focused radiation source. US 2006 / 273732 A1 discloses an arrangement for generating intense shortwave radiation based on a gas discharge plasma. US 2004 / 135103 A1 discloses a thermionic cathode for pre-ionizing an extreme ultraviolet radiation source.

[0009] In light of the above, there is a need for a device and a method for generating X-rays and particle radiation that will bring about an improvement in at least some of the problem areas identified above. Summary of the invention

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

[0011] The invention is defined by the subject matter of the independent claims. Particularly advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. Brief description of the characters

[0012] The invention will now be explained with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures, from which further advantages and modifications will emerge. These figures show: Fig. 1A a schematic side view of a device according to embodiments; Fig. 1B a schematic side view of a device according to embodiments; Fig. 2 a schematic side view of a device according to embodiments; Fig. 3A a schematic top view of a device according to embodiments; Fig. 3B a schematic top view of a device according to embodiments; Fig. 4 a schematic side view of a device according to embodiments; Fig. 5 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 figures

[0013] While the invention is described below with reference to detailed embodiments, it should be acknowledged that the present invention is based on a general inventive concept that can be applied to a wide range of specific contexts. The terminology used herein and the embodiments described herein serve only as examples and clarifications of specific implementations of the invention, without limiting it. For example, features described or illustrated as part of one embodiment can also be used in conjunction with another embodiment to produce a further embodiment. It is intended that the present disclosure includes such modifications and further developments.

[0014] In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote 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 also applies to a corresponding part or aspect of another embodiment.

[0015] The Fig. 1A Figure 10 shows a device for generating X-rays and particle radiation by means of nuclear fusion. The device 10 can, for example, be a plasma focusing device 10.

[0016] The device 10 can have a first main electrode 14 and / or a second main electrode 12. The first main electrode 14 can be an anode 14 and / or the second main electrode 12 can be a cathode 12. Alternatively, the first main electrode 14 can be a cathode 14 and / or the second main electrode 12 can be an anode 12. The choice of the polarity of the voltage between the first main electrode 14 and the second main electrode 12 can offer specific advantages. For example, the second main electrode 12 can provide a larger surface area and thus dissipate heat more effectively. In the following, the first main electrode 14 will be 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 interpreted restrictively.Thus, the present application also includes embodiments that differ from the embodiments described herein in that the first main electrode 14 is the cathode and the second main electrode 12 is the anode 12.

[0017] The first main electrode 14 and the second main electrode 12 can be separated from each other by an insulator 16. The first main electrode 14 and the second main electrode 12 can be arranged coaxially. The first main electrode 14 and the second main electrode 12 can be arranged at least partially in a reactor chamber (not shown).

[0018] The cathode 12 can alternatively be designed as a hollow cylinder (see Fig. 3B ), since the filamentation of the discharge can be carried out by the auxiliary electrodes.

[0019] The first main electrode 14 can be an anode 14 and / or the second main electrode 12 can be a cathode 12. Alternatively, the first main electrode 14 can be a cathode 14 and / or the second main electrode 12 can be an anode 12.

[0020] According to the embodiments described herein, the second main electrode 12 can be configured as a hollow cylinder. In particular, the second main electrode 12 can be made of 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.

[0021] The device 10 can include a pre-discharge device or auxiliary discharge device for generating a filamentous pre-discharge or auxiliary discharge. The filamentous pre-discharge can form a low-resistance, in particular filamentous, bridge across the insulator 16. In particular, the pre-discharge can generate a controlled conductive connection across the insulator, leading to the formation of filaments. Thus, for the duration of the pre-discharge, a current can flow parallel to the insulator, in particular at defined points between which filaments can form. The filaments can form, in particular, between each pair of paired points. The device 10 can further include a pre-discharge source 200 or auxiliary discharge source 200, in particular with high internal resistance. The pre-discharge source 200 can be connected to the pre-discharge device.

[0022] The pre-discharge can be generated in various 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, with a glow discharge device as described herein. A glow discharge can be generated particularly easily and with minimal effort. For example, a glow discharge can be generated with less than 100 W and 2 kV.

[0023] A dielectric barrier discharge can be generated, for example, with 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 auxiliary electrode thus insulated, whereas a direct voltage is applied to the glow discharge source. Through displacement currents thus generated, the dielectric barrier discharge can be produced through the insulator 16 and / or electrical power can be transferred into the plasma.

[0024] A microwave plasma can be generated, for example, using a microwave plasma device connected to a microwave plasma source. This can be achieved, for instance, using a waveguide and / or a λ / 4 resonator.

[0025] An RF plasma can be generated, for example, using an RF plasma generator connected to an RF plasma source. An RF plasma can typically be generated at a frequency of 13.56 MHz. Both capacitive and inductive coupling of the power are possible.

[0026] The examples mentioned can produce a plasma with low energy and / or high conductivity. Such a plasma may be particularly advantageous for the pre-discharge described herein.

[0027] Although the disclosure is presented below using the example of a glow discharge, the general principles also apply to other types of pre-discharge, and the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the example of the glow discharge, even though the glow discharge offers particular advantages. Thus, in the following, the "pre-discharge" will also be called "glow discharge," and consequently, the "pre-discharge device" will also be called "glow discharge device," and the "pre-discharge source" will also be called "glow discharge source." However, these terms can be considered analogous insofar as they do not imply a specific limitation to glow discharge.

[0028] As in the Fig. 1BAs shown, the pre-discharge device or glow discharge device has a first auxiliary electrode 214 and a second auxiliary electrode 212. The first auxiliary electrode 214 and the second auxiliary electrode 212 are separated from each other by the insulator 16. The first auxiliary electrode 214 and the second auxiliary electrode 212 can be arranged concentrically and axially parallel to each other around the anode 14. The first auxiliary electrode 214 and the second auxiliary electrode 212 are at least partially located in the reactor chamber. The first auxiliary electrode 214 has a plurality of first auxiliary electrodes 214. The second auxiliary electrode 212 has a plurality of second auxiliary electrodes 212. The plurality of second auxiliary electrodes 212 and the plurality of first auxiliary electrodes 214 can be arranged coaxially.Furthermore, a second auxiliary electrode 212, or a plurality of second auxiliary electrodes 212, can be arranged axially parallel to a corresponding first auxiliary electrode 214, or a 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.

[0029] According to the embodiments described herein, a number of the plurality of cathode electrodes 12 can correspond to a number of the plurality of first auxiliary electrodes 214 and / or a number of the plurality of second auxiliary electrodes 212.

[0030] According to the embodiments described herein, the first auxiliary electrode 214 can be an auxiliary anode 214 and / or the second auxiliary electrode 212 can be an auxiliary cathode 212 (as in Fig. 1B(shown). Alternatively, the first auxiliary electrode 214 can be an auxiliary cathode 214 and / or the second auxiliary electrode 212 can be an auxiliary anode 212.

[0031] Device 10 contains a gas in the reactor chamber.

[0032] The device 10 comprises an electrical pre-discharge source 200, in particular a glow discharge source 200. The electrical glow discharge source can have a high internal resistance. The electrical glow discharge source can be electrically connected to the auxiliary anode 214 and the auxiliary cathode 212. A glow discharge can 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.

[0033] The device 10 comprises an electrical discharge source 15. The electrical discharge source 15 is electrically connected to the anode 14 and the cathode 12. 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 15, and one or more ion beams, one or more X-rays, or combinations thereof are emitted from it.

[0034] In particular, the device 10 can include a plasma focusing device 10 as described in US 7,482,607 B2 and EP 1 989 714 B1 by Lerner et al., but extended by a device for generating a defined glow discharge. The device for generating a defined glow discharge can include the first auxiliary electrode 214, the second auxiliary electrode 212 and / or the electrical pre-discharge source 200.

[0035] 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, this allows a strongly ionized pre-discharge to already be present at the beginning of the high-current main discharge by the electrical discharge source. This prevents 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.

[0036] The glow discharge can be configured to consist of multiple individual discharges. These multiple discharges can be connected in parallel. The number of multiple discharges can be identical to the number of auxiliary cathode electrodes. A few picoseconds to milliseconds later, the main discharge can develop. The parallel-connected individual glow discharges can reduce the overall inductance inversely proportional to their number, thus enabling a faster rise in the main discharge current.

[0037] As in the Fig. 1BAs shown, the device 10 can have a nested electrode design. In particular, the cathode 12 can be arranged around the anode 14. Furthermore, the first auxiliary electrode 214 can be arranged around the anode 14. The second auxiliary electrode 212 can be arranged around the first auxiliary electrode 214. The cathode 14 can 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 can be arranged coaxially and / or concentrically parallel to each other.

[0038] The cathode 12 can, for example, comprise a plurality of cathode electrodes 12 or be configured as a hollow cylinder. The cathode electrodes 12 can be uniformly distributed rods. The anode 14 can be configured 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) at low pressure, which fills a space between them, in order to supply, in particular, the fuel for the reaction.

[0039] The anode 14 can be connected to the cathode 12 by 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 by one or more auxiliary capacitor banks 218 or DC current sources 218 and one or more auxiliary switches 220. The auxiliary switch 220 can be a low-power 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 optionally also be implemented inductively by means of an ignition transformer.

[0040] According to the embodiments described herein, the electric glow discharge source can be configured to generate an electric pre-discharge of 0.5 kV or greater, in particular 1 kV or greater, preferably 2 kV or greater. In particular, the voltage of the electric pre-discharge can depend on the pressure in the reactor chamber. If the pressure in the reactor chamber is comparatively high, the electric pre-discharge can be comparatively large, and / or vice versa. The electric glow discharge source can have one or more internal resistors or series resistors. In particular, the electric glow discharge source can have a plurality of series resistors. The number of series resistors can correspond to the number of first auxiliary electrodes 214. The series resistors can be connected to a common voltage source.The voltage source can supply a current of a few 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 kΩ or greater. The glow discharge can be ignited a few milliseconds to seconds before the main discharge.

[0041] The electric glow discharge source can further comprise a diode 222. The diode 222 can be arranged between one or more switches 220 and one or more auxiliary capacitor banks 218 or DC current sources. In particular, only one switch 220 can be provided to switch the one or more auxiliary capacitor banks 218. Alternatively, no switch 220 can be provided, and the diode 222 can perform the switching function. According to one embodiment, a capacitor bank, such as the one or more auxiliary capacitor banks 218, can be a DC current source. The diode 222 can be a low-power, high-voltage diode. The diode 222 can be arranged accordingly, depending on which auxiliary electrode 212, 214 is configured as the auxiliary anode or auxiliary cathode, respectively. In this way, embodiments can be implemented in a small, compact, and cost-effective manner.

[0042] According to the embodiments described herein, the electrical glow discharge source can 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 can be configured to generate the glow discharge only between the first auxiliary electrode 214 and the second auxiliary electrode 212.

[0043] According to the embodiments described herein, the cathode 12 can have a conductive disk. A plurality of cathode electrodes 12 can be mounted on the disk. In particular, the conductive disk can extend towards the anode 14. For example, the conductive disk can have a recess in which the anode 14 and / or the insulator 16 are arranged. In particular, the insulator 16 can be arranged between the conductive disk of the cathode 12 and the anode 14.

[0044] According to the embodiments described herein, the cathode 12 and the auxiliary cathode (i.e., the auxiliary electrode 212, 214 configured as an auxiliary cathode) can be electrically connected to each other. For example, the auxiliary cathode electrodes (i.e., the auxiliary electrode electrodes 212, 214 configured as auxiliary cathode electrodes) can be attached to and / or in the cathode 12. In particular, the plurality of auxiliary cathode electrodes can be uniformly distributed rods attached to the cathode 12. If the cathode 12 and the auxiliary cathode are electrically connected to each other, the electrical glow discharge source can be connected to the cathode 12.

[0045] The second auxiliary electrode 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 located away from the first end 212a. The first auxiliary electrode 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 located away from the first end 214a.

[0046] According to the embodiments described herein, the distance between the second end 214b of the first auxiliary electrode 214 and the second end 212b of the second auxiliary electrode 212 can be smaller than the distance between the second end 214b of the first auxiliary electrode 214 and the cathode 12, in particular a nearest point on the cathode 12. This ensures 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.

[0047] The second end 214 of the first auxiliary electrode 214 and the second end 212b of the second auxiliary electrode 212 can be parallel and concentric along an axis of the anode 14 but at different heights. For example, the second end 214 of the first auxiliary electrode 214 can be located further from the conductive disk of the cathode 12 than the second end 212b of the second auxiliary electrode 212. This suspended arrangement allows for the generation of a hot, more easily ionizable gas column.

[0048] As in the Fig. 2The device 10 shown can include a coil 22. The coil 22 can be a spiral coil. The coil 22 can be arranged around the anode 14, the cathode 12, the first auxiliary electrode 212, and / or the second auxiliary electrode 214. The coil 22 can generate a magnetic field that can impart a torque and thus a moment of inertia to the plasmoid. The coil 22 can be connected to a switch 26. Furthermore, a voltage source 24 can be provided. The voltage source 24 can be separate from the voltage source of the electric glow discharge source and / or the electric discharge source. This allows the coil to be operated independently of the electric glow discharge source and / or the electric discharge source. Alternatively, a common voltage source can be used. The position of the coil 22 and its number of turns can depend on the specific application.

[0049] The Fig. 3AThe figure shows a top view of the arrangement of the anode 14, the cathode 12, the first auxiliary electrode 214, the second auxiliary electrode 212 and the insulator 16.

[0050] The Fig. 3B Figure 1 shows a top 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.

[0051] According to the embodiments described herein, the first auxiliary electrodes 214 can extend within the insulator 16. According to the embodiments described herein, the insulator 16 can therefore at least partially enclose the first auxiliary electrodes 214. In particular, the second auxiliary electrodes 214 can be designed as thin conductors extending within the insulator 16. Furthermore, the second auxiliary electrodes 214 can extend axially parallel and symmetrically within the insulator 16. The second ends 214b, or anode-side ends, of the first auxiliary electrodes 214 can protrude from the insulator 16. The second ends 214b of the first auxiliary electrodes 214 can therefore protrude from the insulator 16.

[0052] The second auxiliary electrodes 212 can be configured as projecting pins of the conductive disk of the cathode 12. The stability of the glow discharge can be optimized by selecting a suitable material for the second auxiliary electrode 212.

[0053] As in the Figs. 3A and 3B As shown, a first auxiliary electrode 214, a second auxiliary electrode 212, and / or a cathode electrode 12 can each be arranged on a radial line extending from the center point of the anode 14. In particular, the distance between the first auxiliary electrode 214 and the second auxiliary electrode 212 along the radial line can be smaller than the distance between the first auxiliary electrode 214 and the cathode electrode 12. The number of first auxiliary electrodes 214, second auxiliary electrodes 212, and / or cathode electrodes 12 can be equal to each other.

[0054] As in the Fig. 4As shown, the cathode 12, and 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, and in particular the plurality of cathode electrodes 12, can be inclined by 0.05 degrees or more and / or by 10 degrees or less, 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 consequently generates a defined moment of inertia.

[0055] Furthermore, the first end 212a of the second auxiliary electrode 212, in particular the first ends 212a of a plurality of the second auxiliary electrode 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 electrode electrodes 214. This can be particularly advantageous if the cathode 12, in particular the plurality of cathode electrodes 12, is inclined or tilted.

[0056] The Fig. 5 Figure 10 shows an example of the device 10 with the inclined cathode 12 and the coil 22. This combination offers the advantage of allowing a variable torque to act on the plasmoid. The coil 22 can therefore 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.

[0057] The embodiments described herein provide a fusion reactor. The fusion reactor can include at least one device 10 for generating X-rays and particle radiation. The fusion reactor can include at least one energy recovery device capable of recovering energy contained in the X-rays and / or particle radiation. In particular, the energy recovery device can convert the energy contained in the X-rays and / or particle radiation into electrical energy. The energy contained in the X-rays can be converted into electrical energy, for example, 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 thus represent a primary winding of the transformer.

[0058] The Fig. 6Disclosure shows a method 300 for generating X-rays and particle radiation. The method can include one or more of blocks 310 to 360. According to block 310, a filamentous pre-discharge forming a low-resistance bridge across an insulator 16 can be generated by means of an electrical pre-discharge source. For example, a first auxiliary electrode 214 and a second auxiliary electrode 212, separated from each other by the insulator 16 and arranged coaxially, can be connected by means of an electrical pre-discharge source. According to optional block 320, a pre-discharge between the first auxiliary electrode 214 and the second auxiliary electrode 212 can be formed by a pre-discharge of an electrical pre-discharge current across the first auxiliary electrode 214 and the second auxiliary electrode 212. In particular, the pre-discharge can be generated using the electrical pre-discharge source.According to Block 330, an anode 14 and a cathode 12, separated from each other by an insulator 16 and arranged coaxially, 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 electric 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 can be a result of a decay of the magnetic field of the plasmoid and the collision of electrons and ions in the plasmoid.

[0059] While the foregoing refers to embodiments of the disclosure, other and further embodiments of the disclosure can be derived without deviating from the scope of protection of the disclosure. It is intended that the disclosure includes such modifications and further developments. The scope of protection is determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Apparatus (10) for generating X-rays and particle radiation for a nuclear fusion reactor, comprising: - a reactor chamber; - an anode (14), a cathode (12) and an insulator (16), wherein the anode (14) and the cathode (12) are separated from each other by an insulator (16) and are arranged coaxially with each other, wherein the anode (14), the cathode (12) and the insulator (16) being at least partially arranged in the 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 (200), in particular with high internal resistance, which is connected to the pre-discharge device; and - an electrical discharge source (15) electrically connected to the anode (14) and the cathode (12), wherein the electrical discharge source (15) is configured to generate, during operation, as a result of an electrical discharge from the electrical discharge source (15), a dense, magnetically confined plasmoid in front of the anode (14) and emitting 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 pre-discharge source (200) is electrically connected to the first auxiliary electrode (214) and the second auxiliary electrode (212), wherein the first auxiliary electrode (214) and the second auxiliary electrode (212) are partially arranged in the reactor chamber, the first auxiliary electrode (214) comprising a plurality of first auxiliary electrode-electrodes (214) and the second auxiliary electrode (212) comprising 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, as a result of an electrical pre-discharge of the electrical pre-discharge source, a filamentary pre-discharge between the first auxiliary electrode-electrodes (214) and the second auxiliary electrode-electrodes (212).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filamented pre-discharge is a filamented glow discharge.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first auxiliary electrode (214) is an auxiliary anode and the second auxiliary electrode (212) is an auxiliary cathode, or wherein the first auxiliary electrode (214) is an auxiliary cathode and the second auxiliary electrode (212) is an auxiliary anode.

4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cathode (12) comprises a plurality of cathode electrodes (12).

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the cathode (12) comprises a conductive disc and the plurality of cathode electrodes (12) are fixed to the disc.

6. Apparatus according to claims 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. Apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the cathode (12) and the auxiliary cathode (212) are electrically connected to each other, in particular short-circuited.

8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the insulator (16) at least partially surrounds the first auxiliary electrode-electrodes (214), in particular wherein the first auxiliary electrode-electrodes (214) extend in the insulator (16), are separated from one another and / or are arranged coaxially with the anode (14).

9. Apparatus according to any 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. Nuclear fusion reactor with a device (10) for generating X-rays and particle radiation according to one of claims 1 to 9.

11. Method for generating X-rays and particle radiation for a nuclear fusion reactor with a device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising: - generating the filamented pre-discharge, which forms a low-resistance bridge across an insulator (16), by means of the electrical pre-discharge source (200); - connecting the anode (14) and the cathode (12), which are separated from each other by the insulator (16) and arranged coaxially with each other, by means of the electrical discharge source (15); - forming a plasma channel from a gas with a magnetic field by discharging an electrical 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-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.

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein the discharge occurs within 1 µs or more after the pre-discharge.