4 ms·
The big problem with H-B11 and other heavier fusion processes is that the energy radiated away as brehmsstrahlung is greater that the energy gain from the fusio
by jabl 7y ago
The big problem with H-B11 and other heavier fusion processes is that the energy radiated away as brehmsstrahlung is greater that the energy gain from the fusion. This was worked out by Todd Rider in his 1995 PhD thesis.
Yeah, in theory it might be possible to capture the brehmsstrahlung and pump it back into the reactor with sufficiently high efficiency, but we're pretty far away from that.
That being said, all these fancy fusion reactor schemes are interesting. Just make them work on boring old D-T fuel first, then lets see if these other fuels are usable, no?
- DennisP 7y agoYes, but Rider based that on various assumptions, and included an appendix on various ways those assumptions might be violated to achieve net power with aneutronic fuels. I think this reactor would qualify, since it doesn't rely on thermal heating.
- marktangotango 7y agoPolywell claimed to circumvent it as well, I was never clear on their basis for that belief. At least Brussard seemed adamant when he was alive.
- pfdietz 7y agoThere was no basis for the belief. Read some of the comments in this reddit thread. https://www.reddit.com/r/fusion/comments/dmqgd5/is_the_polywell_fusion_approach_still_under/ https://www.reddit.com/r/fusion/comments/dmqgd5/is_the_polyw...
- Lev1a 7y ago> brehmsstrahlung Bremsstrahlung FTFY
- jabl 7y agoIndeed, you're correct. Thanks.
- strbean 7y agoWait... Todd Rider the DRACO guy?
- pfdietz 7y agoYes, he moved away from fusion after basically showing the whole non-Maxwellian approach for aneutronic fusion couldn't work.