WO2005048662A1

WO2005048662A1 - Method for generating high-temperature high-density plasma by cusp cross-section pinch

Info

Publication number: WO2005048662A1
Application number: PCT/JP2003/014580
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tetsu Miyamoto
Original assignee: Tetsu Miyamoto
Priority date: 2003-11-17
Filing date: 2003-11-17
Publication date: 2005-05-26
Also published as: AU2003280823A1

Abstract

A means for generating a high-temperature, high-density plasma having a long duration and exhibiting excellent uniformity and stability available as the nuclear fusion reaction plasma such as a high-temperature, high-density plasma source, various high-luminance light sources and lasers of wavelength region from ultraviolet to X-ray or a powerful neutron source. Two sets or more of flat sheet Z pinch generator produced by elongating a coaxial gun or a plasma focus unit having an anode and a cathode arranged coaxially are disposed oppositely around the axis of a plasma column being generated. Two sets or more of sheet Z pinch plasma generated by discharging a large current are combined in the vicinity of the axis to generate a cusp cross-section Z pinch plasma column, thus generating a high-temperature, high-density plasma for use in various applications.

Description

Description High-temperature, high-density plasma generation method using force-pinch pinch

The present invention relates to a high-temperature, high-density plasma generation method, and more particularly to a method of generating high-temperature, high-density plasma by pinching a cusp cross section. The present invention can be used for high-temperature and high-density plasma sources, high-intensity light sources with wavelengths in the ultraviolet to X-ray range, lasers, strong neutron sources, and fusion devices. Background art

As a method of generating high-temperature and high-density plasma by electric discharge, a method utilizing a pinch phenomenon is known. The pinch phenomenon, roughly the upper limit of the generated plasma density for an external magnetic field peak Lynch 1 0 ^{1 7} cm- ³ about a is te one Tapinchi (or electrodeless discharge) and ultra-high density plasma because it is self-field pinch There is a Z-pinch (or electrode discharge) that can generate an electric field. The present invention belongs to this kind of Z pinch. Although high-temperature, high-density plasma can be generated by Z-pinch discharge, the generated plasma is extremely unstable. Although there are stabilizing effects such as the finite llama one-radius effect and the density distribution effect, 'the stabilizing effects inherent in these plasmas are weak, and the Z-pinch plasma column cannot be sufficiently stabilized. Therefore, the application of Z-pinch is limited to the case where it is possible even if the duration is short, and it has been considered difficult to apply it to tasks that require long-term retention such as generation of fusion core plasma. Previous applications using various types of Z-pinch include high-temperature, high-density plasma sources, various types of high-intensity light sources such as strong violet light and X-rays, discharge excitation of short-wavelength lasers, neutrons, and other charged particle sources. is there. For high-brightness X-ray sources, Gaspuff Z-pinch, plasma focus, multi-wire (Wire-array) Z-pinch, etc. have been used. Capillary Z-pinch is used for discharge excitation of X-ray laser, which needs to generate uniform high-temperature plasma. Capillary tube In the Z-pinch, a capillary tube is used as a discharge tube, and because of the stabilization effect due to the existence of the tube wall and the accompanying density distribution, a uniform number of 100 eV required for X-ray laser excitation is obtained. It is possible to generate a plasma. It has the disadvantage of severe damage to the tube wall. In addition, high-temperature nuclear reaction plasmas exceeding several eV have been generated using the Z-pinch, and research on intense neutron sources mainly using plasma focus devices has been conducted.

As a discharge method related to the present invention, two sets of coaxial guns or plasma focus devices are arranged to face each other, and the generated and accelerated plasma is collided in the middle of the two sets of devices, and a spindle cusp-shaped plasma is generated. It has been proposed to generate them (JA, H. Leeet. Al., Plasma Phys., Vol. 20, 1025—1038 (19778)). However, increasing the discharge current in this configuration creates a strong pinch in front of the center electrode, a plasma focus, where most of the energy is dissipated. For this reason, there is an upper limit on the energy that can be supplied to the spindle cusp-shaped plasma generated between two devices with coaxial electrodes, and there is also an upper limit on the temperature and density of the plasma that can be generated. The instability of the Z pinch is due to the circular cross section of the plasma column. For this reason, a stabilization method using a geometric shape has been proposed, for example, a Z-pinch in which the plasma cross section is elliptical or sheet-shaped (T. Miyamo to, J. Phys. Soc. Japan , Vol. 68, 12 38-12 25 8 (199 9)).

The present invention impairs the features of Z-pinch, which can generate high-temperature, high-density plasma. In order to make a wider range of applications possible without any inconvenience, the object is to suppress the instability of the generated plasma and solve the problem of maintaining a uniform high-temperature and high-density plasma for a long time. Disclosure of the invention

The present invention seeks to generate high-temperature and high-density plasma by large-current discharge and to stabilize the instability of Z-pinch plasma by its geometric shape.

The gist of the first invention is a method of generating high-temperature, high-density plasma by discharging, comprising: a first sheet Z-pinch generation device in which a cathode is arranged around a first anode plate via an insulator; A second sheet Z pinch generator in which a second anode plate is disposed so as to face the first sheet Z pinch generator via an insulator so as to penetrate the cathode, and wherein the first sheet Z pinch is provided. By using a device in which a portion facing the generation device and the second sheet Z-pinch generation device is an airtight container filled with gas, the plasma from the first sheet Z-pinch generation device and the second sheet are generated. A high-temperature, high-density plasma generation method using a cusp cross-section pinch is characterized by generating a high-temperature, high-density pinch plasma column having a cusp cross-section by colliding and merging plasma from a Z-pinch generation device.

The gist of the second invention is that by attaching a conductor plate to both sides of the first anode plate and the second anode plate at both ends of the pinch plasma column having the generated cusp cross section, Claims characterized by supporting a magnetic force for shortening the length of the plasma column generated at the same time, and delaying the collapse of the plasma column so as to prevent the plasma near the axis from flowing out in the axial direction. Item 1 is a method for generating high-temperature, high-density plasma by pinching a cusp section. The gist of the third invention is that in a method of generating high-temperature and high-density plasma by discharge, a sheet Z-pinch generating device in which a ground electrode is arranged around a positive electrode plate via an insulator, and a negative electrode is formed around the negative electrode. And a sheet Z pinch generator with a ground electrode placed through an insulator at 90 degrees alternately around the center axis of the plasma column to be generated, and four sets are placed facing each other. Near the center axis of the plasma column that is to generate plasma from the four sets of sheet Z pinch generating devices by using a device in which the sheet Z pinch generating device of the four sets becomes an airtight container filled with gas. A high-temperature, high-density plasma generation method using a cusp cross-section pinch is characterized by generating a high-temperature, high-density cusp cross-section pinch plasma column by collision and coalescence. '

The gist of the fourth invention is that a conductor plate is attached to the two opposite positive electrodes and the opposite negative electrode on both sides of the positive electrode and the negative electrode at both ends of the plasma column having the generated cusp cross section. This supports the magnetic force to reduce the length of the plasma column generated in the line cusp, and prevents the plasma near the axis from flowing out in the axial direction to delay the collapse of the plasma column. 4. A high-temperature, high-density plasma generation method using a cusp-section pinch according to claim 3, wherein various kinds of radiation from the plasma are guided to the outside.

The gist of the fifth invention is that the cusp cross-section pinch generating device according to claim 1 or 3 is closed and a torus-shaped cusp cross-section pinch plasma column is generated. High-density plasma generation method.

The gist of the sixth invention is that, in claim 1, the breakdown voltage of the insulating part separating the anode and the cathode is increased to prevent insulation rupture and discharge from occurring on the surface of the insulator, Close the discharge area between the anode and anode Discharge between the pole discharge parts, or after pre-ionization and pre-heating, discharge is generated between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and a cusp cross section characterized by the generation of a pinch plasma column with a cusp cross section near the axis There is a high-temperature, high-density plasma generation method by pinching.

The gist of the seventh invention is that, in claim 3, the ground electrode is covered with an insulator, the withstand voltage of an insulating portion separating a positive electrode and a negative electrode is increased, and dielectric breakdown and discharge occur on the surface of the insulator. And discharge between the positive and negative electrode discharge sections, and discharge between the positive and negative electrode discharge sections, or pre-ionization and pre-heating, then discharge between the anode and cathode tips. A high-temperature, high-density plasma generation method using a cusp cross-section pinch is characterized by generating a pinch plasma column having a cusp cross-section near the axis.

The gist of the eighth invention is that, in the toroidal cusp cut surface pinch plasma column according to claim 5, a current along the axis of the plasma column or a torus Z pinch is superimposed by an induced electromotive force to form a torus. A high-temperature, high-density plasma generation method using a cusp cross-section Z pinch, which generates a magnetic field component in an azimuthal direction about an axis.

The gist of the ninth invention is to superimpose a current or a Z-pinch along the axis of the plasma column on the pinch plasma column having a straight cusp cross section according to Claims 1, 3, 6, and 7. The method is a high-temperature, high-density plasma generation method using a linear force-sp cross section Z pinch, which generates a magnetic field in the azimuthal direction with respect to the axis of the plasma column. Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front view showing the concept of the sheet Z-pinch generating device used in the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a right side view of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a top view of the center cross section of Fig. 1 as viewed from above.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing Embodiment 1 according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a second embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a third embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a fourth embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing generation of a sheet Z pinch in Embodiment 4 according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a fifth embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a sixth embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a seventh embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a preionization power supply or a preheating power supply used in Embodiments 6 and 7 according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a Z-pinch of the cusp cross section of the eighth embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 14 is a view showing a ninth embodiment according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a high-temperature high-density plasma generation method using a cusp section pinch according to the present invention will be described in detail.

First, the concept of the sheet Z pinch generating device used in the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 is a front view, FIG. 2 is a right side view, and FIG. 3 is a top view of a central cross section of FIG. 1 as viewed from above.

Charge is stored in the capacitor 4 shown in FIG. 3 in advance, and the voltage of the capacitor 4 is applied to the anode (positive electrode) 1 and the cathode (negative electrode) via a switch 5 (gap switch or high power semiconductor switch, etc.). When applied between 2, the discharge begins along the surface of insulator 3, first between anode 1 and cathode 2 separated by insulator 3. Next, it is formed on the surface of insulator 3 The generated plasma is heated as the current increases due to the discharge of the capacitor, and is accelerated rightward by the magnetic pressure. Dotted line 7 conceptually illustrates the current path moving from left to right over time. This also conceptually shows the shape of the moving plasma layer, which eventually produces a sheet-like plasma 6 in front of the anode. Reference numeral 8 indicates the magnetic field lines around the plasma sheet 6. The region surrounded by electrodes and insulators where a plasma layer is formed is a discharge chamber, which is filled with a gas of an appropriate type and an appropriate pressure after being evacuated. Next, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to Examples 1 to 9.

Example 1

FIG. 4 shows Example 1 according to the present invention using two sets of the sheet Z pinch generating devices shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. In the apparatus shown in FIG. 4, switches 13a and 13b are provided between the anode 9a and the cathode 10 and between the anode 9b and the cathode 10 in the same manner as shown in FIG. The voltage of the capacitors 12a and 12b is applied through the, and creeping discharge is generated simultaneously on the surfaces of the insulators 11a and 11b. The high resistances 14a and 14b are for applying a potential to the floating anodes 9a and 9b before closing the switches 13a and 13b. Furthermore, by increasing the current, the generated plasma is accelerated in the direction of the center axis (this is the z-axis) of the plasma column that is to be generated, and collides with the plasma coming from the opposite side to unite with the z-axis. Compress near. Then, through a complicated transient process, a plasma column 15a with a force sp-shaped cross section with a hyperboloid formed by the current path 15b is finally generated. The magnetic field on the z-axis of this plasma column 15a is zero, and the magnetic field near the z-axis is weak. Therefore, a uniform plasma can be generated near the z-axis along the z-axis.

According to the first embodiment, spinning is performed using two sets of plasma focus devices. The discharge current can be increased without incurring energy loss due to instability near the anode as in the case of generating dolcusp. Although there is a loss of plasma and heat conduction through the linear force sp, increasing the current can reduce the loss sufficiently for the time required for the purpose. In the apparatus shown in Fig. 4 of the first embodiment, the insulator surfaces 11a and 11b separating the anodes 9a and 9b and the cathode 10 are positioned at positions where the radiation from the pinch plasma is shaded. To reduce the damage.

Example 2

Fig. 5 shows four arrangements of 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d around the plasma column to be generated so that the positive and negative center electrodes alternate. (16a and 16c are positive center electrodes, 16b and 16d are negative center electrodes), and positive and negative voltages are applied to these electrodes, respectively, and discharged to generate a plasma column. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a high-temperature and high-density plasma generation apparatus using a cusp cross-section pinch configured in such a manner that a cross section of a plasma column and a discharge circuit are conceptually shown. Each electrode has the same configuration as the sheet Z pinch device shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 in principle.

In Fig. 5, 16a and 16c are positive electrodes, 16b and 16d are negative electrodes, and ground electrodes are formed by insulators 18a, 18b, 18c, and 18d. Insulated from 17 Positive electrodes 16a and 16c are connected to capacitors 19a and 19c charged to positive voltage V through switches 20a and 20c, respectively, and negative electrodes 16b and 16d are switches respectively. It is connected to capacitors 19b and 19d charged to a negative voltage of 1 V through 20b and 20d. The high resistances 2 la, 21 b, 21 c, and 21 d are for keeping the potential of the positive and negative electrodes before the discharge as the potential of the ground electrode. Electrode 16a, I6b, 16c, 16d, insulator 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d The area of No. 23 is a discharge chamber, which is filled with gas of an appropriate type and an appropriate pressure after being evacuated. In this state, when the four switches are closed at the same time and a voltage is applied to the positive and negative electrodes, the surface of the insulators 18a, 18b, 18c, and 18d is connected to the ground electrode 17 respectively. A creeping discharge occurs along. The generated plasma layer rises in temperature as the current increases, and is accelerated in the direction of the z-axis by the magnetic pressure formed across the plasma layer. The plasma layers moving from the eight directions separate from the ground electrode 17 on the way, generate a discharge between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and then gather near the z-axis to generate a plasma column. When the dynamic transient process ends and the quasi-equilibrium state is reached, a plasma column 22 a having a cusp cross-section with the current line indicated by the dotted line 22 b as the isobar is generated near the z-axis. (Because the magnetic field is zero on the z-axis, a uniform plasma along the z-axis can be generated in the vicinity of the region where the magnetic field is weak.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, four sets of the sheet Z pinch generators shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are used, and the plasma state in the four quadrants on the plane perpendicular to the axis of the plasma column is the same. Device. In this embodiment, the negative electrode can be grounded, and the ground electrode can be set at the intermediate potential. Also, by using an insulating material for the ground electrode, the device shown in FIG. 4 can be obtained in which four quadrants are equivalent. It is also possible to generate a cusp cross section pinch having four or more line cusps by using four or more sets of the sheet Z pinch generating apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

The apparatuses of Examples 1 and 2 can generate a cusp cross-section pinch except for near both ends when the length is sufficiently long in the axial direction of the plasma column. However, in Example 1 in which the discharge vessel also serves as the cathode, the magnetic field is closed near the anode, and in Example 2, the line cusp near the anode and the cathode and both ends of the sheet Z-pinch portion. Therefore, in this part, the length in the z-axis direction is the thermal velocity of the plasma About to shorten. The plasma in the weak magnetic field near the Z axis flows out in the axial direction. In many applications, such as high-intensity X-ray sources and discharge excitation of X-ray lasers, the shortening of the plasma column and the loss of the plasma can be sufficiently slow compared to the required duration. However, when it is necessary to further delay the collapse of the plasma column, some method is needed.

Example 3

As described above, the length of the plasma column is finite, and the lines of magnetic force close in the line cusp or sheet Z pinch area near the anode and cathode at both ends, so that the length in the z direction is reduced by about the thermal velocity of the plasma I do. And the plasma near the axis where the magnetic field is weak flows out in the z direction.

Embodiment 3 shown in FIG. 6 solves this problem and relates to a method of delaying the collapse of the cusp-section pinch plasma column by installing conductor plates at both ends of the cusp-section pinch electrode. FIG. 6 shows the apparatus of Embodiment 1 (FIG. 4) further provided with conductor plates 24a and 24b, and the conductor plates 24a and 24b provided a wire cusp near the anode and a sheet Z pinch. A method is provided to support the magnetic pressure in the part and prevent shrinkage until the plasma separates from the conductor plates 24a and 24b. In the embodiment of FIG. 6 in which the cathode 10 also serves as a discharge vessel, the line cusp and the sheet Z near the upper and lower cathodes can be generated so as to surround the pinch plasma column in the form of a fan-shaped connection of the Z pinch. Therefore, the outflow of plasma near the axis is suppressed.

Example 4

Embodiment 4 shown in FIG. 7 solves the above-mentioned problem relating to the collapse of the plasma column, similarly to Embodiment 3 shown in FIG. FIG. 7 shows an example in which conductor plates 25a, 25b, 26 are connected to both ends of an anode and a cathode in the apparatus of Example 2 (FIG. 5), respectively. Similarly, a fan-shaped sheet Z pinch as shown in Fig. 8 is generated at both ends of the plasma column. Ma The gap 27 or hole 28 near the axis of the conductor plate reduces the interaction between the plasma near the axis and the conductor, and can guide various radiations from the plasma to the outside.

In Example 4 in FIG. 7, by connecting a conductor plate to both ends of two positive electrodes and two negative electrodes, it is possible to delay the collapse of the plasma column and the loss of plasma in the axial direction. it can.

Example 5 '

Another way to eliminate the effects of the end of the plasma column is to make the axis of the plasma column not circular, but circumferential, racetrack or other closed curve, as shown in Figure 9. That is.

In FIG. 9, 29a and 29b are anodes, 30a and 30b are cathodes, 31a, 31b, 31c and 3Id are ground electrodes. 32 a, 32 b, 32 c, 32 d, 32 e, 32 f, 32 g, and 32 h are insulators. 33 is a torus-shaped pinch plasma column with a cusp cross section, and 34 is the current. In Fig. 9, for simplicity, the illustration of the power supply circuit corresponding to the power supply circuit in Fig. 5 (capacitors 19a-d, switches 20a-d, resistors 22a-d) is omitted. I have.

Example 5 shown in FIG. 9 is a modified example in which the anode, the cathode, the ground electrode, the insulator, etc. of Example 2 are made into a closed curve, and the pinch plasma column having a straight cusp cross section is made into a torus. The end of the plasma column existing in 2 can be eliminated. The first embodiment can be similarly formed into a torus shape. The fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 9 can be used for a high-temperature and high-density plasma source, a high-brightness X-ray source, a strong neutron source and the like. When a straight, uniform plasma is required, as in the case of X-ray laser emission, a straight section should be provided on the race track or on a part of the torus, and the straight cusp cross section should be used. Can be done. Example 6

In the first and second embodiments, the force described in relation to the sheet Z pinch is not necessarily limited to the force. Starting discharge from creeping discharge on the surface of an insulator can be achieved by using a relatively low-speed discharge power supply due to the existence of an initial dynamic process. There are advantages such as the ability to control the energy that can be given to the plasma during column formation. However, by selecting an appropriate gas pressure (using equipment parameters according to the mass number), performing preionization and preheating as necessary, a uniform gas pressure between the positive and negative electrodes or between the positive and negative electrodes is obtained. If a discharge can be generated, it is possible to start directly from the electrode discharge between the anode and the cathode. At that time, if a high-speed power supply is used, large energy can be given to the plasma column in a short time, and it is possible to reduce energy loss in the dynamic process. It is also possible to evaporate the electrode by lowering the gas pressure and generate metal plasma composed of the electrode material.

The embodiment 6 shown in FIG. 10 is not based on the creeping discharge as in the cusp-section pinch device of the embodiments 1 and 2, but between the discharge portions of the anodes 34a, 34b and the cathode 35. 9 shows a method for changing to electrode discharge.

In the sixth embodiment, two sets of cusp section pinching devices as in the first and third embodiments are used, and a creeping distance is increased to prevent a creeping discharge on an insulator surface separating an anode and a cathode. In addition to having a structure that enhances the dielectric strength, the distance between the anode and cathode discharge sections is reduced, and the breakdown voltage there is reduced, so that the discharge starts from the creeping discharge on the surface of the insulator to the anode and cathode. This is a plasma generation method using a cusp cross-section pinch characterized by generating a pinch plasma column 41 having a high-temperature, high-density cusp cross-section by changing to air discharge between electrodes between cathode discharge parts. Prior to the discharge between the electrodes, pre-ionization or pre-heating discharge is applied to make the discharge more uniform between the anode and cathode. Electricity can be generated.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the discharge portions of the anodes 34a and 34b and the cathode 35 (near the generated plasma column), the distance between the electrodes is reduced to reduce the breakdown voltage. At the same time, in order to increase the insulation resistance of the insulators 36a, 36b separating the anodes 34a, 34b and the cathode 35, the creepage distance is increased, and the lines of electric force between the anode and cathode are increased. The structure is designed to block the air. By making these changes to the apparatus shown in FIG. 3, it is possible to change the start of discharge from creeping discharge to electrode discharge between the anode and the cathode.

The capacitors 37a, 37b and the switches 38a, 38b and the high resistances 39a, 39b of FIG. 10 are the same as those of the apparatus of FIG. It is a main discharge circuit corresponding to b, 13a, 13b, 14a, and 14b. Reference numerals 40a and 4Ob denote power sources for preionization or preheating, and an example thereof is as shown by a dotted line in FIG. The pre-ionization or pre-heating power source shown in FIG. 12 includes a high-frequency power source 52, a pulse transformer 53, and a condenser 54 for direct current separation between the positive and negative electrodes. By supplying a high frequency current to the primary side of the pulse transformer 53 that does not affect the switching of the main discharge power supply from the outside, weakly ionized plasma can be generated between the electrodes prior to the main discharge. .

Example 7

In the embodiment 7 shown in FIG. 11, the start of the discharge is not caused by the creeping discharge as in the cusp section pinch device of the embodiments 2, 4, 5 etc., but by the positive electrodes 42a, 42c and the negative electrode. It shows a method for changing to an electrode discharge between the discharge portions of 42b and 42d. To prevent discharge between the ground electrode 43 and the positive and negative electrodes, the positive and negative electrodes are insulated from the ground electrode 43 with insulators 44a, 44b, 44c, and 44d, and the inner surface of the ground electrode 43. The L-shape Covered with insulators 45a, 45b, 45c, 45d. At the same time, the distance between the positive electrode discharge part and the negative electrode discharge part is reduced to reduce the dielectric breakdown voltage between the positive and negative electrodes. With these changes, it becomes possible to change the start of discharge from creeping discharge to electrode discharge between the anode and the cathode under an appropriate gas pressure.

Between A and B and D and between C and B and D in Fig. 11, a preionization or preheating power supply consisting of the high-frequency power supply 52, pulse transformer 53, and capacitor 54 shown in Fig. 12 is connected. You.

Symbols 46a, 46b, 46c, 46d are capacitors, symbols 47a, 47b, 47c, 47d are switches, symbols 48a, 48b, 48 c, 48 d indicate high resistance, and capacitors 19 a, 19 b, 19 c, 19 d, switches 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, Works similarly to high resistance 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d. A dotted line 50 near the z axis indicates a current line.

As described above, in the seventh invention, the inner surface of the ground electrode 43 is largely covered with the insulator in the four sets of cusp section pinching devices of the second, fourth, fifth, etc. Discharge between the anode and the cathode is prohibited, and the discharge is started by narrowing the interval between the positive electrode discharge part and the negative electrode discharge part and lowering the dielectric breakdown voltage there, as in the sixth embodiment. Is changed from creeping discharge on the surface of the insulator between the ground electrode 43 to air discharge between the electrodes between the positive electrode discharge part and the negative electrode discharge part. This is a plasma generation method using a cusp cross-section pinch, which generates By performing preionization or preheating discharge prior to interelectrode discharge, a more uniform discharge can be generated between the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

The method of Embodiment 7 is applicable to the case of Embodiment 5 in the form of a torus. is there.

Example 8

Example 8 shown in Fig. 13 provides a method for superimposing the axial current by adding an induced electromotive force along the axis of the pinch plasma column of the torus-shaped cusp cross section of Example 5. The cusp cross-section pinch in Examples 1, 2, 5-7 can be called the cusp cross-section Z pinch. In other words, superposition of the induced discharge current along the axis of the plasma column and generation of a closed magnetic field in the azimuthal direction surrounding the pinch plasma column with a cusp section suppresses particle loss and energy loss from the line cusp. It is. From another point of view, increasing the induced discharge current causes a so-called torus Z pinch, which is equivalent to stabilizing the torus Z pinch with a cusp current. Fig. 13 shows an example of the same equipment as in Fig. 9 except that the solenoid coil 55 is installed so as to pass through the center axis of the equipment so that the plasma is on the secondary side of the transformer. A current in the axial direction of the torus is applied to the toroidal plasma column by discharging the solenoid coil 55 with a capacitor 56 and a switch 57 in synchronism with the pinch discharge of the cusp cut surface in Example 5. Can be done. By sufficiently increasing this current, a torus-shaped Z-pinch plasma 33b having a cusp cross section can be generated at the center of the cusp cross-section pinch plasma 33a. As the power supply for the solenoid coil 55, the same power supply as the cusp section pinch can be used, and in this case, synchronization can be performed automatically.

According to the eighth embodiment, particle loss and energy loss from the wire cusp can be suppressed, and the torus-shaped Z pinch can be stabilized by the cusp current.

Example 9

The straight cusp cross-section Z pinch in Example 9 is essentially the same as in Example 8. And corresponds to a part of it. However, in the linear cusp cross-section Z-pinch, electrode discharge is used because the induced electromotive force cannot be used unlike the torus-shaped cusp cross-section Z-pinch. FIG. 14 is a diagram corresponding to the right side view of the central longitudinal section of FIG. 5 with new electrodes 58a and 59b attached to both ends. In the left half of Fig. 14, 16c and 18c are omitted. In the right half of FIG. 14, 63 a and 63 b are omitted. The electrodes 58a and 58b are insulated from the cusp section pinch electrodes 16a-d and 17 by insulating plates 59a and b ', and are arranged at both ends of the plasma column. After the cusp cut pinch plasma column 63 a is formed, a discharge is generated between the electrodes 58 a and 58 b, and a current 64 along the axis of the plasma column is superimposed to form a straight line. A cusp section Z-pinch plasma column 63b can be generated. The capacitors 60a, b, the switches 61a, b and the high resistances 62a, b constitute the power supply for the current along the axis. In the present embodiment, it is necessary to lower the voltage V of the pinch in the cusp cross section and make the voltage V ′ of the pinch in the cusp cross section sufficiently higher than V.

Although the first to ninth embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Possibility of industrial use

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the instability of generated plasma can be suppressed and uniform high-temperature high-density plasma can be maintained for a long time, without impairing the characteristics of the Z pinch capable of generating high-temperature high-density plasma. In addition, the present invention generates a high-temperature, high-density plasma to generate a high-temperature, high-density plasma source, a high-intensity light source having a wavelength in the ultraviolet to X-ray range, a laser or an intense neutron source having a wavelength in the ultraviolet to X-ray range, It can be applied to fusion reactors.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. A method for generating high-temperature, high-density plasma by discharge, comprising: a first sheet Z-pinch generating device in which a cathode is arranged around a first anode plate via an insulator; A second sheet Z-pinch generator in which a second anode plate is arranged so as to face the first sheet Z-pinch generator through an insulator;

The first sheet Z-pinch generating device and the second sheet Z-pinch generating device are configured such that an opposed portion of the first sheet Z-pinch generating device becomes an airtight container filled with gas. A high-temperature, high-density plasma generation method using a cusp cross-section pinch, wherein the plasma and the plasma from the second sheet Z-pinch generation device are collided and combined to generate a high-temperature, high-density cusp cross-section pinch plasma column. .

2. In the high-temperature and high-density plasma generation method using the cusp cross-section pinch according to claim 1,

By attaching conductor plates to both sides of the first anode plate and the second anode plate at both ends of the pinch plasma column of the generated cusp cross section, the length of the plasma column generated in the line cusp portion is reduced. A high-temperature, high-density plasma generation method using a cusp cross-section pinch, which supports the magnetic force to be caused, and delays the collapse of the plasma column by preventing the plasma near the axis from flowing out in the axial direction.

3. In the method of generating high-temperature and high-density plasma by discharge, sheet Z pinch generator with ground electrode placed around positive electrode plate via insulator, and grounding around negative electrode via insulator. The sheet with electrodes arranged thereon and the Z-pinch generator are alternately rotated 90 degrees around the center axis of the plasma column to be generated, and are arranged in four sets facing each other. The apparatus in which the Z-pinch generating device is configured to be an airtight container filled with gas at the portion facing each other, collides near the center axis of the plasma column to generate plasma from the four sets of sheet Z-pinch generating devices, A high-temperature, high-density plasma generation method using a cusp cross-section pinch, which is combined with a high-temperature, high-density cusp cross-section pinch plasma column.

4. In the high-temperature, high-density plasma generation method using the cusp face pinch according to claim 3,

By attaching a conductor plate to the two opposed positive electrodes and the opposed negative electrodes on both sides of the positive electrode and the negative electrode at both ends of the plasma column having the generated cusp cross section, the brass generated in the line cusp portion is obtained. While supporting the magnetic force that attempts to shorten the length of the plasma column, preventing the plasma near the axis from flowing out in the axial direction, delaying the collapse of the plasma column, and preventing various radiation from the plasma A high-temperature, high-density plasma generation method using a cusp section pinch, which is guided to the outside.

5. The cusp section pinch generating device according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the cusp section pinch is formed into a closed curve, and a torus-shaped cusp section pinch plasma column is generated. Plasma generation method.

6. In the high-temperature, high-density plasma generation method according to claim 1,

Increasing the breakdown voltage of the insulating part separating the anode and the cathode, preventing insulation rupture and discharge from occurring on the surface of the insulator, and bringing the discharge part between the cathode and the anode close to the anode and the cathode discharge part After the pre-ionization or pre-heating, a discharge is generated between the anode and the cathode, and a pinch plasma column with a cusp cross section is formed near the axis. High-density plasma generation method.

7. In the method for generating high-temperature and high-density plasma by the cusp section pinch according to claim 3,

Cover the ground electrode with an insulator, increase the withstand voltage of the insulating part separating the positive electrode and the negative electrode, prevent dielectric breakdown and discharge on the insulator surface, and make the positive electrode and the negative electrode discharge parts closer After the discharge between the positive and negative electrode discharge parts, or after preionization and preheating, a discharge is generated between the anode and cathode tips to generate a pinch plasma column with a cusp cross section near the axis. A high-temperature, high-density plasma generation method using a cusp section pinch.

8. The torus-shaped cusp-section pinch plasma column according to claim 5, wherein a torus-like current or a torus-like Z-pinch along the axis of the plasma column is superimposed by an induced electromotive force to form an azimuthal direction with respect to the axis of the torus. A high-temperature, high-density plasma generation method using a cusp cross-section Z pinch, characterized by generating a magnetic field component in the opposite direction.

9. In the straight cusp cross section pinch-brama column of claims 1, 3, 3 and 6, the current along the axis of the plasma column or the Z-pinch is superimposed, and the plasma column is pinched. A high-temperature, high-density plasma generation method using a linear cusp cross-section Z pinch, which generates a magnetic field in an azimuthal direction about the axis.