6th September update: Yield 1/10 of expected @ 1MA, but might be fixed.

[MTd2]

I think this is a different case given that the stabilizing spin can strongly with the containment field.

[AaronB]

There are two separate processes going on. First, the axial field coil is used to impart a small amount of spin to the plasma sheath so the filaments merge gently. After the filaments merge into a single filament, that new filament generates its own large magnetic field that compresses the filament, known as a z-pinch. At that point, the filament starts to coil like a spring or telephone cord. The coils attract each other and collapse into the smallest stable shape, a toroid. The toroid continues to shrink under its own massive theta-pinch forces, and when the conditions are right, the energetic ions get squeezed so hard that they begin to fuse. The high magnetic fields keep the ions and electrons from bouncing in all different directions, thus preventing the production of a lot of X-rays.

So, when thinking about these things, remember that there are various stages of energy concentration with unique variables and control factors associated with each. We’re in the process of figuring out and optimizing each one, and how they affect each other. For example, the axial field coil will inject spin into the sheath, but it may affect the orientation of the plasmoid also. That would probably stabilize the ion beam output, which would be a good thing. Other factors will affect the overall process and eventual output. We also have to consider the cathode and anode lengths, fill gas composition and pressure, voltage and current (with associated rise time and duration), voltage, synchronicity of input from switches, etc. Then there is the matter of the diagnostic suite, including neutron detectors, X-ray detectors, cameras and shielding from noise and EMPs, software, etc. Then we have to take the output data and analyze and interpret it correctly. Did I mention that we’re writing the user’s manual as we go, and there’s no official technical support number to call? That’s the nature of the work. While that may sound daunting to some, it an engineer’s paradise! It’s hard but very rewarding work, and we’ve made a lot of progress.

[MTd2]

Why do you suppose I wouldn’t love to take part on that adventure! 🙂 May I get in the party with at least some skepticism and questions?

[Rezwan]

AaronB wrote: There are two separate processes going on. First, the axial field coil is used to impart a small amount of spin to the plasma sheath so the filaments merge gently. After the filaments merge into a single filament, that new filament generates its own large magnetic field that compresses the filament, known as a z-pinch. At that point, the filament starts to coil like a spring or telephone cord. The coils attract each other and collapse into the smallest stable shape, a toroid. The toroid continues to shrink under its own massive theta-pinch forces, and when the conditions are right, the energetic ions get squeezed so hard that they begin to fuse. The high magnetic fields keep the ions and electrons from bouncing in all different directions, thus preventing the production of a lot of X-rays.

Great explanation, Aaron. Do you have references to journals and publications on this topic? We need to gather more peer review links. Of course, I need to set the website up to have a way to dynamically populate with such references as they are found.

For example, the axial field coil will inject spin into the sheath, but it may affect the orientation of the plasmoid also. That would probably stabilize the ion beam output, which would be a good thing. Other factors will affect the overall process and eventual output.

The above are the concepts being tested, correct?

[AaronB]

Skepticism and questions are vital to the discovery process, so don’t worry about that. Everyone is invited to take part in the adventure (and hopefully the party if we’re successful). By the way, congratulations on the wedding!

Rezwan, testing the directional stability of the ion beam is still on the to-do list. It’s important, but other things are higher on the priority list at this point.

[MTd2]

AaronB wrote: There are two separate processes going on. First, the axial field coil is used to impart a small amount of spin to the plasma sheath so the filaments merge gently. After the filaments merge into a single filament, that new filament generates its own large magnetic field that compresses the filament, known as a z-pinch. At that point, the filament starts to coil like a spring or telephone cord. The coils attract each other and collapse into the smallest stable shape, a toroid. The toroid continues to shrink under its own massive theta-pinch forces, and when the conditions are right, the energetic ions get squeezed so hard that they begin to fuse. The high magnetic fields keep the ions and electrons from bouncing in all different directions, thus preventing the production of a lot of X-rays.

So there are 4 stages:

1. The axial field coil is used to impart a small amount of spin to the plasma sheath so the filaments merge gently.

2. The filaments merge into a single filament, that new filament generates its own large magnetic field that compresses the filament, known as a z-pinch. At that point, the filament starts to coil like a spring or telephone cord.

3. The coils attract each other and collapse into the smallest stable shape, a toroid.

4. The toroid continues to shrink under its own massive theta-pinch forces, and when the conditions are right, the energetic ions get squeezed so hard that they begin to fuse.

So, the problem is in the transition between 1 and 2. Right?

In my mind the problem is between 2 and 3. Why “a” toroid, and not 1 or more toroids with a lot of randomly wasted electrons?

[AaronB]

Right, the problem that developed was between 1 and 2, which wasn’t a problem in the experiments last spring. More news to follow in the coming weeks. 🙂

On the multiple toroids question, between 2 and 3, it may be possible to produce multiple toroids, but it is unlikely because the toroid represents a lower energy state. Once a toroid forms, the stored energy in the twisted filament is drawn into the toroid, which effectively prevents others from forming. I suppose if there was enough stored energy in the filament, two or more could form simultaneously. In fact, this may be the case in nature with high-altitude lightning and its associated blue jets and sprites. We may encounter it along the way in our testing. If so, we’ll let everyone know.

[MTd2]

You forgot to explain the part of the “wasted electrons” I meant 1 or more toroids WITH wasted electrons 🙂

[AaronB]

MTd2 wrote: … Have you ever twisted a string so much that the twists starts twisting around themselves? It soon becoms a chaotic mass. So, how can you assure me that a chaotic state won’t dominate around the equilibrium point? Chaos would ensue, and a lot of energy would be lost…

This is probably what you were referring to when you mentioned wasted electrons. The comparison with a twisted string that kinks into a chaotic mass is close, but there are some distinct differences. A string has a relatively fixed length, so when it kinks past the first order spiral, it twists into one or more second-order twisted loops. A plasma filament is much more elastic, and filament loops can combine with each other unlike a string. A string’s lowest energy state when twisted is the “chaotic mass” state with the twisted loops sticking out. A plasma filament’s lowest energy state is the plasmoid. The merging loops keep it from becoming a chaotic mass, and there aren’t a lot of electrons lost in the process.

[MTd2]

AaronB wrote: The merging loops keep it from becoming a chaotic mass, and there aren’t a lot of electrons lost in the process.

1.Won’t the realignment of filaments waste a lot of energy? Why?
2.How many electrons are lost in the process?
3.How can one show that the toroid is the most stable state?

[AaronB]

MTd2 wrote: 1.Won’t the realignment of filaments waste a lot of energy? Why?

Filaments can realign very easily since they are just a flow of electrons. If you watch a plasma ball in action, you’ll see filaments suddenly appear, merge easily with other filaments, and disappear instantly. The transition doesn’t take much effort. It only requires an easier path, and the electrons will naturally flow that way. Magnetic fields guide the flow and provide a kind of inertia that tempers the rate of change.

2.How many electrons are lost in the process?

I don’t know. I’ve never counted them. Some energy could be lost by light emission or heating of the gas, but there’s no way around that. The best you can do is to recapture it somewhere else or use those effects to your advantage.

3.How can one show that the toroid is the most stable state?

It’s sort of a circular argument. The filaments form a toroid shape because it is the most stable form, and it can be demonstrated that it’s the most stable form because it’s the shape that the filaments naturally go into. More technically, the axial z-pinch forces from the circulating current and the azimuthal theta-pinch forces work in harmony to create and compress a stable, self-sustaining environment (minus leakage) that can persist for a relatively long time, much longer than a simple spark. If someone else has a better explanation, feel free to jump in.

[Lerner]

Actually, you can take the ideal form of the plasmoid and demonstrate mathematically that this is the lowest-energy state. More generally, it has been proved mathematically that the force-free filament is the lowest energy state for current moving through a plasma and the plasmoid is the lowest energy state if there is sufficient helicity (twist) to create it. In other words when the twist gets big enough, the plasma drops inot the more stable state. This mathematical work was done back in the 1950’s.

[MTd2]

Thank you for the compliment about my wedding! 🙂

Now, some questions:

1. In a plasma, you have a certain proportion of ions, which increases with temperature. When the plasmoid shrinks, its temperature goes up, and so the proportion of Ions. So, couldn’t the low volume of the plasmoid observed be mainly a consequence of the ions being scattered out of the plasmoid?

2. Protons and electrons will go in opposite directions and collide in higher and higher energies, so there should be extreme thermal losses (x-rays). How that is avoided?

[vansig]

MTd2 wrote:

To understand how this works, you have to understand that charged particles like to follow magnetic lines. If there is no external magnetic field to guide the ions and electrons, they converge in a chaotic mess when the filaments combine, losing energy in the process. .

The LPP site says that the intensity of that magnetic field has the magnitude of earth’s, which is 0.5 gauss. The converging filaments is like an infinite solenoid. But the one inside the solenoid, near the equilibrium point, goes up to 1.2 billion gauss, that is 9 orders of magnitude higher and any bending of the solenoid would create a non-zero radial, whose projection on the perpendicular could locally disturb the guiding magnetic field. In this case, there would be chaos.

I still don’t see a solution for that.

right-hand rule would tend to give the field lines pinching in a closed ring, (rather than an open cylinder) and the ions tracing a toroid, trapped by that ring

[MTd2]

vansig wrote: right-hand rule would tend to give the field lines pinching in a closed ring, (rather than an open cylinder) and the ions tracing a toroid, trapped by that ring

Well, that’s what comes in mind if you think about that at first. But, I would like a demonstration.

[Author]

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