Method and apparatus for generating nuclear fusion using crystalline materials

Abstract

Gently heating a pyroelectric crystal in a deuterated atmosphere can generate fusion under desktop conditions. The electrostatic field of the crystal is used to generate and accelerate a deuteron beam (>100 keV and >4 nA), which, upon striking a deuterated target, produces a neutron flux over 400 times the background level. The presence of neutrons within the target is confirmed by pulse shape analysis and proton recoil spectroscopy. Several elements of the system may be modified, including the configuration of the crystal or crystals, the composition of the surrounding environment and the target, the use of multiple probe tips, and the composition of the probe tip.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 positioning a probe tip adjacent a crystal; and   using said probe tip to produce field ionization of a neutron source;   wherein said ionization results in production of neutron flux; and   wherein said crystal is a pyroelectric or piezoelectric crystal.   
     
     
         2 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising
 heating said crystal;   wherein said crystal is a pyroelectric crystal.   
     
     
         3 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said pyroelectric crystal comprises lithium tantalate. 
     
     
         4 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 providing a deuterated or tritiated target in a position of a trajectory defined by said probe tip.   
     
     
         5 . A method as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said target comprises erbium dideuteride. 
     
     
         6 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing a target in a position of a trajectory defined by said probe tip;   wherein said target comprises a neutron source.   
     
     
         7 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said crystal is ruptured, compressed, or exploded. 
     
     
         8 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said crystal comprises a matrix or mosaic of crystals. 
     
     
         9 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said crystal comprises a laminated crystal. 
     
     
         10 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said probe tip is one of a plurality of tips adjacent said crystal. 
     
     
         11 . A method, comprising:
 locating a probe tip adjacent a pyroelectric crystal;   heating said pyroelectric crystal in an environment containing a gaseous source of neutrons;   wherein heating said pyroelectric crystal produces a beam about said probe tip; and   positioning a target in a trajectory of said beam;   wherein contact between said beam and said target produces a neutron flux.   
     
     
         12 . A method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said pyroelectric crystal comprises lithium tantalate. 
     
     
         13 . A method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said target comprises erbium dideuteride. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a chamber;   means for securing a pyroelectric crystal in said chamber;   means for positioning a probe tip adjacent said pyroelectric crystal; and   means for positioning a target comprising a neutron source.   
     
     
         15 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising:
 means for heating said pyroelectric crystal.   
     
     
         16 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said chamber is configured to contain an atmosphere comprising a neutron source. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said pyroelectric crystal comprises lithium tantalate. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said target comprises erbium dideuteride.