SBIR-STTR Award

Long-term Confinement of Dense Positron Plasmas
Award last edited on: 2/26/2007

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : AF
Total Award Amount
$1,662,385
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
AF01-156
Principal Investigator
Gerald A Smith

Company Information

Positronics Research LLC

13631 East Windrose Drive
Scottsdale, AZ 85259
   (480) 314-1513
   information@pr-llc.com
   www.pr-llc.com
Location: Single
Congr. District: 06
County: Maricopa

Phase I

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase I year
2001
Phase I Amount
$99,786
The objective of this propoosal is to demonstrate the feasibility of storing large numbers of antielectrons, or positrons, for long periods of time. Antimatter has the largest specific energy known to humankind, i.e 180 MJ/microgram. An ordnance package containing micrograms of positrons stored for days would comprise an extremely powerful, lethal and revolutionary weapon. We will investigate several technologies for confining positron plasmas, including Penning traps, linear magnetic mirror traps, and closed magnetic torus traps. Other systems may be considered as work progresses. The deliverable will be a Final Report which includes descriptions of systems, costs and construction details.A low mass system capable of holding hundreds of MJ's of energy for long periods of time has many potential commercial applications. Among these in the aviation sector is a Positron Energy Conversion (PEC) ramjet or turbojmet, with the capability of extended flight (up to 30 days) and range (transcontinental). Applications include weather surveys, population, agriculture and pollution studies, and land and marine assays

Phase II

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase II year
2002
Phase II Amount
$1,562,599
The objective of this proposal is to store large numbers of positrons, also called antielectrons, for long periods of time. Antimatter has the largest specific energy known to humankind, i.e. 180 MJ/microgram. An ordnance package containing micrograms of positrons stored for days would comprise an extremely powerful, lethal and revolutionary weapon. We will assemble, test, and operate a positron storage system that will integrate several electromagnetic confinement techniques, including Penning traps, linear magnetic mirrors, and Field Reversed Configurations (FRC). These storage techniques are validated by computer codes. The deliverables will be the hardware associated with the storage system and a Final Report describing operation of the system, diagnostics, and experimental data