Patent Application
20050129159
The present invention relates in general to a method and apparatus for producing energy by fusing the nuclei of two or more atoms. In particular, the invention relates to using a Bose-Einstein condensate of atoms as fuel for a nuclear fusion reaction in which a beam is used to compress or de-condense the Bose-Einstein condensate of atoms, thereby fusing the atoms of the Bose-Einstein condensate. The invention has the advantage of allowing for fusing atoms by tunneling through the extremely high potential energy barrier which must be overcome in other types of nuclear fusion reactions.
There is an interest in generating energy from nuclear fusion based on the vast amount of energy released from nuclear fusion reactions, the substantially limitless supply of fuel available for nuclear fusion reactions, and the positive environmental impact possible from abandoning traditional energy sources in favor of nuclear fusion reactions. Nuclear fusion occurs naturally in stars such as the Sun, where intense heat and pressure cause the nuclei of lighter elements to fuse together, forming heavier elements. Scientists have encountered difficulty in achieving nuclear fusion in the past because of the prohibitively high temperatures and pressures involved in nuclear fusion reactions due to the extremely high potential energy barrier which must be overcome before nuclear fusion occurs. Because nuclear fusion requires the co-location of two or more atoms, the difficulty results from the repulsive force between the atoms’ positively charged nuclei. The force required to overcome this repulsion and bring the atoms together varies proportionally to the inverse square of the distance between the atoms’ nuclei. Thus, as nuclear fusion is approached, the requisite force increases rapidly.
Several approaches to nuclear fusion have been proposed, including inertial confinement fusion and magnetic confinement fusion. Inertial confinement fusion involves a reaction wherein fuel is held together by its own inertia at a high enough temperature and pressure and for a long enough time for fusion to occur. The typical fuel in inertial confinement fusion experiments has included deuterium and tritium. Magnetic confinement fusion involves a reaction wherein fuel is held together by magnetic forces at a high enough temperature and pressure and for a long enough time for fusion to occur. As in inertial confinement fusion, magnetic confinement fusion also uses a fuel including deuterium and tritium. While these approaches have led to many attempts to create nuclear fusion, it is apparent that none of these methods have been fully effective for providing a commercially viable energy alternative.
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for compressing or de-condensing a Bose-Einstein condensate of atoms in order to achieve nuclear fusion. This is readily distinguished -from conventional inertial confinement approaches. Conventionally, inertial confinement nuclear fusion occurs when a fuel source is confined by its own inertia at a high enough temperature and pressure and for a long enough time so as to effect nuclear fusion reactions. It has been recognized that a major obstacle to inertial confinement nuclear fusion involves overcoming the Coulomb electrical potential energy barrier. To overcome this repulsive force, a very high kinetic energy is required in conventional approaches. This high kinetic energy requirement, in turn, mandates the extremely high temperatures and pressures which have proved difficult to create in a laboratory setting. Instead of overcoming the potential energy barrier, the present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for tunneling through or avoiding the potential energy barrier.
While traditional approaches to inertial confinement nuclear fusion have been restricted mainly to the use of plasmas as sources of fuel, the present invention teaches the use of a fifth state of matter, a Bose-Einstein condensate. First suggested over fifty years ago by Satyendra Nath Bose and Albert Einstein, Super Fluid 4He was achieved in the 1930’s and Super Fluid 4He was achieved in the 1980’s. More recently, a condensate of gaseous material was made by E.A. Cornell and C.E. Wieman in June, 1995, and a gaseous condensate of 109 Hydrogen atoms was made by D.G. Fried et al. in June 1998. The Bose-Einstein condensate state generally occurs at very low temperatures. In such a Bose-Einstein condensate, most, if not all, atoms have overlapping wavefunctions and exhibit united quantum mechanical behavior. The present inventor has recognized that one way of tunneling through or avoiding the potential energy barrier is to find a state where wavefunctions of atoms overlap so as to be co-located.
Accordingly, the present invention involves a method and apparatus for providing a condensate including atoms having an overlapping wave function and exposing the condensate to a source of energy so that at least some of the co-located atoms fuse thereby releasing energy. The condensate may be comprised of bosons or paired fermions. The source of energy, in particular embodiments, is one or more high energy beams that may be focused on the condensate to maximize the intensity of the energy. The mechanism for achieving fusion may involve applying a compressive force sufficient to achieve fusion and/or rapidly de-compressing the atoms of the condensate causing fusion because of the affinity of the atoms of the bosons or fermion pairs. The resulting fusion energy can be used for propulsion or otherwise harnessed. In the latter regard, an energy flux from a chamber in which the fusion reaction occurs (e.g., heat, kinetic energy of the expelled reaction product) can be captured in any suitable way such as via heat exchangers, turbine generators, etc.
According to one aspect of the invention, a method is provided for compressing a Bose-Einstein condensate of atoms. The method involves providing a Bose-Einstein condensate of atoms and applying a compressive force so as to compress the Bose-Einstein condensate. The condensate is preferably a Bose-Einstein condensate of atoms. The atoms may be bosons, fermions arranged in Cooper Pairs, or fermions in other arrangements. In one implementation, the atoms are 4He, as He forms Bose-Einstein condensates more readily than do other atoms. Alternatively, the atoms may be Supra Fluid 1H2 which forms a liquid condensate at achievable temperatures. Many other condensate materials are possible. A beam may be used to compress the Bose-Einstein condensate, allowing for tunneling of the potential energy barrier upon de-condensing of the Bose-Einstein condensate. The beam may be, for example, a beam of electromagnetic energy or a beam of material. Viable sources for producing the compressive energy include an electron beam, a particle beam, a radio frequency energy beam, a high energy laser beam, an x-ray beam, or light. Preferably, the beam is a high energy laser beam capable of emitting high speed pulses of energy, such as a femto-second (or faster) laser beam, The high speed energy pulses allow for compression of transient byproducts of prior compression reactions. The beam is directed at the Bose-Einstein condensate from any direction, with the preferred embodiment including stimulation from at least two opposed directions for improved compression.
According to a further aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided for compression of a Bose-Einstein condensate of atoms. The apparatus includes a system for introducing a Bose-Einstein condensate of atoms into a reaction chamber, a system for compressing the Bose-Einstein condensate in the reaction chamber, and a system for harnessing the reaction product of the compression of the Bose-Einstein condensate. The system for introducing the Bose-Einstein condensate may involve a mechanism for injecting a preformed Bose-Einstein condensate into the reaction chamber, or for injecting atoms into the reaction chamber and creating the Bose-Einstein condensate from the atoms inside the reaction chamber. The condensate comprises a Bose-Einstein condensate of atoms. The atoms may be, for example, bosons, fermions arranged in Cooper Pairs, or fermions in other arrangements. In one implementation, the atoms will be 4He. The Bose-Einstein condensate may be introduced into the reaction chamber via a receptacle which contains the Bose-Einstein condensate, This receptacle may be, for example, small plastic sphere capable of containing a fusionable amount of Bose-Einstein condensate.
In one embodiment, a beam for applying a compressive force is used to compress the Bose-Einstein condensate, allowing for tunneling of the potential energy barrier upon de-condensing of the Bose-Einstein condensate. As discussed above, the beam may be comprise a beam of electromagnetic energy or a beam of material. The beam is directed at the Bose-Einstein condensate from any direction, with the preferred embodiment including stimulation from at least two directions. The apparatus of this embodiment may further include a mechanism for focusing the beam at the Bose-Einstein condensate. Various types of focusing mechanisms, including lenses and mirrors, as well as self-focusing and electromagnetic focusing systems, or a combination thereof may be employed. A window may be utilized to facilitate entry of the beam into the reaction chamber. In one embodiment, the window includes a material which is capable of withstanding the effects of nuclear fusion reactions in the reaction chamber, such as, for example, sapphire or diamond. The apparatus may further include a shield for shielding the area adjacent to the reaction chamber. In one embodiment, a radiation shield is utilized so as to prevent the escape of nuclear fusion reaction output, including harmful gamma-ray radiation.
According to a still further aspect of the invention, an apparatus for generating energy includes a system for using a Bose-Einstein condensate of atoms as fuel for a nuclear fusion reactor, and a system for harnessing energy of the resulting nuclear fusion reactions. In one embodiment, a reaction chamber is at least partially surrounded by an insulating material, and the harnessing system includes a system for exchanging heat produced by the reaction output with the insulating material. Alternatively, the reaction product of the compression of the Bose-Einstein condensate to drive a transformer device for harnessing the reaction product of the compression of the Bose-Einstein condensate. This transformer device may include, for example, a reaction motor or a turbine. The transformer device may be driven directly by reaction product and/or an intermediate substance may be employed. In this regard, in one embodiment, the harnessing system uses the reaction product of the compression of the Bose-Einstein condensate to heat another substance, and then uses the heated substance to generate usable energy. This associated procedure may involve heating a fluid and then using the resulting steam to run a turbine to power a generator. In another embodiment, the energy harnessing system uses the reaction product of the compression of the Bose-Einstein condensate to directly drive a turbine to power a generator. In yet another embodiment, the harnessing system uses the reaction product of the compression of the Bose-Einstein condensate combined with another substance for transforming the reaction product to provide energy. For example, this procedure may involve injecting water into the reaction product and using the water-condensate mixture to drive a turbine to power a generator, or as a direct propulsion system for devices such as a rocket.
The present invention thus provides nuclear fusion reactions via the compression of a Bose-Einstein condensate of atoms such as via a compressive beam or beams. The invention thus allows for the use of a Bose-Einstein condensate of atoms as fuel for nuclear fusion. Moreover, the invention permits nuclear fusion reactions via tunneling of the potential energy barrier upon de-condensing of the compressed Bose-Einstein condensate of atoms, thus substantially avoiding the need to overcome the barrier.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and further advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for compressing or rapidly de-condensing a Bose-Einstein condensate of atoms in order to achieve nuclear fusion. According to both the method and the apparatus, a Bose-Einstein condensate of atoms is fused to release appreciable amounts of energy. The method and apparatus for compressing a Bose-Einstein condensate of atoms may be useful in numerous applications, especially in certain energy production and propulsion applications.
It will be appreciated that various considerations are taken into account in selecting the exact composition of the Bose-Einstein condensate, including the availability of the Bose-Einstein condensate constituents, the ease of creating a Bose-Einstein condensate from certain constituents, the tendency of the Bose-Einstein condensate constituents to release harmful output particles, and the tendency of the Bose-Einstein condensate constituents to fuse together. Composition possibilities for the Bose-Einstein condensate constituents include bosons, fermions arranged in Cooper Pairs, and fermions in other arrangements. A boson is a particle with an even number of protons and an even number of neutrons. Fermions are particles that do not have even protons and neutrons but which, in certain pairings, may function in a manner similar to bosons for present purposes. In fusing bosons, for example, it is known that 4He atoms readily form Bose-Einstein condensates. However, when two 4He atoms fuse, the resulting 8Be isotope is unstable, with a lifetime on the order of 10-15 seconds. Also, the nuclear fusion of two 4He atoms is endothermic, so to create an energy-producing process, an additional 4He atom must be fused immediately with the unstable 8Be atom to create 12C. This second reaction produces substantial energy and emits a gamma ray.
In fusing Fermions, it is known that two Fermions may join to become a Cooper Pair, which behaves as a boson. Using Fermions arranged in Cooper Pairs as Bose-Einstein condensate constituents may have the advantage of producing a higher yield of fused atoms, if there is a greater chance of nuclear fusion of the members of a Cooper Pair into one atom. Additionally, the formation of a Bose-Einstein condensate of 1H atoms is possible. Because 1H is the most abundant element, this may provide a very available source of energy. Possible Boson or Cooper Pair Bose-Einstein condensate materials and reactions include:
1H + 1H ( 2D + e+ + 1.42 MeV
2D + 2D ( n + 3He + 3.2 MeV
3He + 3He ( gamma ray + 6Be + 11.5 MeV; 6Be ( 2D+ 4He + 12.8 MeV
7Li + 7Li ( 14C + energy
6Li + 6Li ( 12C + energy
12C + 12C ( 24Mg + energy ( 20Ne + 4He + energy
OR ( 23Na + 1H + energy
16O + 16O ( 32S + energy
20Ne + 20Ne ( 40Ca + energy
4He + 4He + 4He ( 12C + energy
and so on.
The formation of a Bose-Einstein condensate of dissimilar elements is also possible, where the two constituent elements create a boson pair. This type of formation may indeed enable a variety of Bose-Einstein condensate materials. Possible dissimilar atom reactions include:
1H + 7Li ( gamma ray + 8B + 17 MeV
1H + 9Be ( gamma ray + 10B + 6.6 MeV
1H + 11B ( gamma ray + 12C + 16 MeV
2D + 4He ( gamma ray + 6Li + 1.5 MeV
2D + 6Li ( gamma ray + 8Be + 22 MeV; 8Be ( 2 4He + 22 MeV
2D + 10B ( n + 11B + e+ + 6.6 MeV
3T + 3He ( gamma ray +6Li + 15.8 MeV
3T + 7Be ( n + p + 2 4He + 10.5 MeV
3He + 7Li ( gamma ray + 10B + 17.8 MeV
3He + 9Be ( 3 4He + 12 MeV
3He + 11B ( p + 13C + 13 MeV
4He + 6Li ( gamma ray +10B + 4.4 MeV
4He +10B ( n + e+ + 13C + 2.7 MeV
and so on.
Another possible condensate material is super-fluid 1H2. Under appropriate conditions, it is believed that this material can form a liquid condensate at reasonably achievable temperatures. Such a liquid condensate may allow for more atoms in the fusion reaction than gas condensates, and having the atoms nearer to each other in such a liquid condensate compared to gas may make the reaction more efficient.
In considering the various reaction possibilities, it should be noted that reactions with free neutrons in the reaction product are less desirable since the free neutrons may deteriorate the materials of the reaction chamber.
The introduction system 101 may further involve providing the Bose-Einstein condensate in a receptacle 106, such as a small plastic sphere. Such a receptacle would have the advantage of allowing a known amount of Bose-Einstein condensate 102 to be located at a fixed point in the reaction chamber 104.
The compression system 103 allows for the compression and/or rapid de-condensing of the Bose-Einstein condensate 102 as required to reduce the physical size of the Bose-Einstein condensate 102 or otherwise increase the chance of nuclear fusion of Bose-Einstein condensate atoms upon de-condensing of the Bose-Einstein condensate 102. The illustrated compression system uses a beam source 108 to compress/de-condense the Bose-Einstein condensate 102, The beam source 108 may generate any one of an electron beam, a particle beam, a beam of material (the same as or different from the condensate material), a radio frequency energy beam, a high energy laser beam, a femto-second laser beam, an x-ray beam, or light. In one embodiment, the beam source 108 is selected for a particular nuclear fusion reaction so that the pulse length of the generated beam 109 is at least as short as the lifetime of the most transitory compression output particle. For example, in the reaction described above wherein two 4He atoms fuse, resulting in the unstable 8Be isotope whose lifetime is on the order of 1 x 10-15 seconds, the preferred beam 109 would have a pulse length of less than about 1 x 10-15 seconds so as to maximize the possibility of fusing the transitory 8Be isotope.
To compress/de-condense the Bose-Einstein condensate 102, the beam 109 is directed at the Bose-Einstein condensate 102. In one embodiment, the beam 108 is directed at the Bose-Einstein condensate 102 from one direction, using the inertia of the Bose-Einstein condensate 102 to compress the Bose-Einstein condensate 102. In a preferred embodiment, the beam 109 is directed at the Bose-Einstein condensate 102 from at least two opposing directions so as to maximize the total compression of the Bose-Einstein condensate 102.
The compression system 101 may further involve the use of a focusing system 110 to focus the beam 109 prior to directing the beam at the Bose-Einstein condensate 102. The beam 109 is focused by any one of at least one lens, at least one mirror, a self-focusing system, or an electromagnetic focusing system. Focusing of the beam 109 may be further facilitated by at least one window 112 which allows entry of the beam 109 into the reaction chamber 104. The window 112 is made of a material which is capable of withstanding conditions inside the reaction chamber, such as, for example, sapphire or diamond.
The harnessing system 105 allows for the harnessing of energy from of the reaction product of the compression of the Bose-Einstein condensate. The illustrated harnessing system 105 includes a shielding subsystem 114 to protect against the harmful effects of electromagnetic radiation produced in nuclear fusion reactions. For example, in the nuclear fusion reactions listed above, gamma rays and neutrons are emitted. The shielding subsystem 114, which may include, for example, a radiation shield, will reduce or eliminate the possibility that these harmful particles will escape from the reaction chamber 104. In a preferred embodiment, the shielding system 114 will include the use of materials, such as lead and concrete, which demonstrate an electromagnetic radiation blocking property.
The illustrated harnessing system 105 further includes a conversion system for converting the reaction product of the compression of the Bose-Einstein condensate to energy. The conversion system may involve using the reaction product of the compression in conjunction with a heat exchanger subsystem 116 including tubing 118 and a cooling element 119, to drive a turbine 120 to run a generator 122. In this regard, the tubing 118 may circulate a fluid that is heated by the reaction product. The fluid is subsequently treated by the cooling element 119 so as to reduce the temperature or corrosive intensity of the fluid between the reaction chamber interface and the cooling element, the heated fluid may be used to drive a turbine 126 to run a generator 128. Additionally or alternatively the conversion system may also use the physical reaction product (i.e., the material expelled from the reaction chamber upon a fusion reaction) to directly drive a turbine 126 to run a generator 128 or to beat an intermediate fluid, e.g., water/water vapor, which in turn drives the turbine 126.
In one embodiment, the introduction system 101 introduces a Bose-Einstein condensate comprised of 4He atoms into the reaction chamber 104 in a small plastic sphere receptacle 106. Two femto-second laser beams 109 are then focused with lenses 110 through windows 112, and are directed at the Bose-Einstein condensate 102 from substantially opposing directions. As nuclear fusion of the Bose-Einstein condensate atoms occurs, the harnessing system 105 converts the reaction product of the nuclear fusion to energy.
The process is then continued by introducing (504) the Bose-Einstein condensate into the reaction chamber. As discussed in detail above in reference to
Another step in the process involves activating (506) a beam. This beam may include any one of an electron beam, a particle beam, a beam of material, a radio frequency energy beam, a high energy laser beam, a femto-second laser beam, an x-ray beam, or light. As discussed in detail above in reference to
The activating step may further involve focusing (508) the beam using at least one lens or mirror, and may include active components such as a self-focusing system (e.g., to move the lens or mirror to adjust focusing based on certain feedback such as power readings), or, for a charged beam of electromagnetic energy, an electromagnetic focusing system. Focusing of the beam may be facilitated by a window which allows entry of the beam into the reaction chamber. This window is made of a material which is substantially transparent to the beam and is capable of withstanding conditions inside the reaction chamber, such as, for example, sapphire or diamond, The next step in the process involves compressing (510) the Bose-Einstein condensate by using the beam to apply force on the Bose-Einstein condensate. In a preferred embodiment, the Bose-Einstein condensate is compressed by directing the beam at the Bose-Einstein condensate from at least two opposing directions so as to maximize to total compression of the Bose-Einstein condensate.
The process continues by harnessing (512) the energy from the reaction product of the compression of the Bose-Einstein condensate, This may be accomplished by driving (514) a turbine with the energy harnessed from the reaction product of the compression of the Bose-Einstein condensate to run a generator. In this regard, a turbine may be driven directly by the physical reaction product, by an intermediate fluid heated by the physical reaction product, or by an intermediate fluid heated by heat exchange with the reaction chamber and/or other energy emitted from the reaction chamber. As discussed in detail above in reference to
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that further modifications and adaptations of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
