High density storage of excited positronium using photonic bandgap traps
US6813330B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 28, 2003 |
| Grant date | Nov 2, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 28, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S376/913
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A device is provided that can capture and store electrically neutral excited species of antimatter or exotic matter (a mixture of antimatter and ordinary matter), in particular, excited positronium (Ps*). The antimatter trap comprises a three-dimensional or two-dimensional photonic bandgap (PBG) structure containing at least one cavity therein. The species are stored in the cavity or in an array of cavities. The PBG structure blocks premature annihilation of the excited species by preventing decays to the ground state and by blocking the pickoff process. A Bose-Einstein Condensate form of Ps* can be used to increase the storage density. The long lifetime and high storage density achievable in this device offer utility in several fields, including medicine, materials testing, rocket motors, high power/high energy density storage, gamma-ray lasers, and as an ignition device for initiating nuclear fusion reactions in power plant reactors or hybrid rocket propulsion systems.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.