Submicron fusion devices, methods and systems

Abstract

Methods, apparatus, devices, and systems for creating, controlling, conducting, and optimizing fusion activities of nuclei. In particular, the present inventions relate to, 5 among other things, fusion activities that are conducted individually or collectively on a very small scale, preferably on the nano-scale or smaller such as pico to femto scales, for the utilization of energy produced from these activities in smaller devices and for aggregation into larger devices.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 an electrode and an excitation source, the electrode comprising a lattice structure embedded with a fusion fuel material, the excitation source including one or more of a RF generator device, a microwave generator device, a laser and a magnetron; wherein:   the excitation source is configured to induce, proximal to a tip of the electrode, an oscillating flow of electrons primarily along a surface of the electrode in a forward direction toward the tip and in a reverse direction away from the tip, the oscillating flow of electrons occurring at a frequency of at least about 1 GHz and creating an electric field greater than about 10 8  V/m at the tip.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fusion fuel material comprises nuclei, the nuclei selected from the group consisting of hydrogen- 1 , boron-11, lithium-6, lithium- 7 , deuterium, helium-3, nitrogen- 15 , carbon-12, and tritium. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lattice structure comprises a base structure and a substructure, the substructure comprising a getter material for hydrogen or low molecular weight gasses, and materials capable of supporting and carrying the fusion fuel material. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the electric field provides localized compression by ponderomotive forces, thereby lowering the Coulomb barrier between two fusing atoms thereby inducing a fusion reaction in said fusion fuel material in a region at or adjacent to the tip. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the fusion reaction is aneutronic. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode is configured as a dipole antenna. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the excitation source induces a local region of high density electrons having particle densities of  10   15 /cc or more.