SBIR-STTR Award

The objective of this proposal is to design a neutral atom, stabilized positronium storage ring for accumulation of at least 10^15 atoms for periods of days or longer. The design will parallel as much as possible recent developments in storage of neutral atoms with permanent electric dipole moments. Radial confinement on the atom is based on the force exerted on an electric dipole in an inhomogeneous electric field. Since the stabilized positronium atom is expected to have a very large electric dipole moment, quite modest electric field gradients appear to be feasible. The circular ring will be enclosed in a magnetic solenoid, which provides one of the ingredients required for stability in addition to the electric field. All technical aspects of the ring, including mechanical design, vacuum, electric and magnetic fields, injection, extraction, controls, diagnostics, data acquisition, and systems tests will be considered. The deliverable will be a final technical report that includes a description of the storage ring, computer-based verification and validation results, detailed specifications and drawings.

Benefits:
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 positronium-powered ramjet or turbojet, with the capability of extended flight (up to thirty days) and range (transcontinental). Related applications include weather surveys, population, agriculture and pollution studies, and land and marine assays. In addition, positrons are an established tool for investigation of material surfaces, especially semiconductors and polymers. Our system will be capable of providing abundant and portables supplies of positrons, resulting in extraordinary energy and spatial resolution applied to these annual multi-billion dollar industries.

Keywords:
antimatter, positronium, electric dipole moment , neutral atom storage, storage ring, quantum stabilization

Positronics Research LLC (PRLLC) has developed a novel device capable of high-density (> 10^12/cc) storage of positrons in the form of stable neutral Positronium (Ps) atoms. Research completed to date at PRLLC on the Positronium Storage Ring (PSR) shows that long-term positron storage of ~ 10^15-18 may be possible in the future. A positron (anti-electron) is the antimatter equivalent of an electron. Antimatter has the highest specific energy of any material in existence. It is 180 MJ/mg, which places it ten orders of magnitude larger than chemical propellants (0.013 J/mg) and three orders of magnitude larger than nuclear fission or fusion. Positrons annihilate into gamma rays when they collide with electrons, with a total released energy of 1.02 MeV. These low energy gamma rays cannot remove a neutron or proton from a bound nucleus in surrounding media. Hence, positron annihilation cannot create radioactive by-products, yet their energy can be harnessed for many practical applications. One of the main reasons positrons have not been exploited to date is the lack of cost effective and practical size confinement methods to store large amounts of positrons. PRLLC is on its way to accomplishing this goal thus allowing for a whole new realm of high-density energy applications including novel ordnance, materials science and propulsion concepts.

Benefits:
Development of high-density positron storage will significantly impact several important commercial and military applications including a positron-powered engine for ultra long-endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Small Launch Reusable Vehicles (SLRVs), ordnance applications and high-resolution semiconductor/polymer evaluation. UAVs - Using positrons as a fuel source, a small 100 pound UAV, such as the USAF P-LOCAAS, could fly 30 days or longer. This would enable missions where the vehicle is deployed in CONUS, flies to the target anywhere in the world, and returns to home base. SLRVs Using positrons, as part of a Turbine-Based Combined Cycle engine, would significantly reduce the amount of propellant mass needed to access space. This would allow for a cost effective way to place small satellites into LEO. Ordnance Previous research done by PRLLC shows that the enormous energy density of positrons can be used in a novel and effective weapons system. Material Science Positron technology has significantly contributed to novel and unique ways to our understanding of the physical and chemical properties of material surfaces.

Keywords:
Positron, High-Density Energy, Antimatter, Ordnance, Propulsion, No Radioactive By-Products