Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 June 2005
The electromagnetic acceleration of a metallic ring carrying a high current, combined with the mutual interaction of a concentrical conductor carrying the same current, in the presence of a DC magnetic field, results in a converging beam of particles reaching a velocity above 1000 km/s. Lithium, gold, and uranium rings are considered and transient temperatures ranging from 108 to 1010 °K are expected. In the presence of deuterium and tritium fusion reactions will occur and the capture of the released neutrons may result in the synthesis of heavier elements. The considered device lends itself to a varied treatment allowing to consider velocities in the range of 2000 km/s.