Positronium Storage Ring

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.