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I’m no physicist, but I’m pretty sure presence of plasma in these gizmos indicates fusion. I think though you’re asking if it was a self-sustaining reaction, an
by CodeWriter23 4y ago
I’m no physicist, but I’m pretty sure presence of plasma in these gizmos indicates fusion. I think though you’re asking if it was a self-sustaining reaction, and my impression (could be wrong) they did the ignition and they are stress testing the device and it’s heating and cooling systems.
- aqme28 4y agoThere are a lot of relatively cold plasmas that don’t indicate fusion. Well, sure, maybe a few particles defy the odds and fuse, but really you’re seeing basically none unless the heat and density get high enough.
- zardo 4y agoUnless they mention fusion, they are likely using test plasma that isn't going to fuse.
- pantalaimon 4y agoYou can create a plasma in your microwave, that doesn't mean there is fusion.
- lazide 4y agoYou can buy an inexpensive plasma cutter at harbor freight that is happy to generate as much plasma as you want (while cutting metal). It definitely isn’t doing any atomic fusion anywhere. It’s also what arc welders weld with. Plasma is ionized gas (hence conductive), the ‘fourth state of matter’ and while usually hot, it doesn’t necessary have to be. [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_(physics) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_(physics)]
- CodeWriter23 4y agoPresented in the context of “in these gizmos”. I did not say all plasma is fusion.
- lazide 4y agoMost of these will be using plasma which is not fusing most of the time for testing, validation, etc. Fusing plasma makes a lot of neutrons which cause problems, including irradiating things.