Reply To: Nuplex.

[JimmyT]

JimmyT wrote: I think one of the earliest prototypes must have a hollow core electrode. We really need to measure that electron beam. Both to figure out if its worth capturing and figuring how much it adds to the cooling load. It also would give us an additional in-site into what is happening in that plasmoid.

This also suggests that a concentric shell design might be the way to go.

What does the butt end of that base plate look like? Is there room for a small passage? The innermost tube or two could be something other than beryllium too. Since we will be unable to collect those x-rays headed directly downward anyway. Introducing the “cool” helium via the innermost cooling tube to exit and head downward close to the tip would have the added advantage of maximizing the cooling at the tip where cooling is the biggest problem.

If you are only going to do 1 pulse every 10 minutes or so on the experimental device you might not have to worry about cooling at that stage of the project at all. Is that true? In which case the electron beam capturing/measuring device could be built right into the electrode base since coolant disruption wouldn’t be a factor.