An alternative design for electrostatically accelerated ion beam fusion.

MacLeod, Christopher; Gerrard, Claire E.

Abstract

Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) is an alternative approach to nuclear fusion which uses electrostatically accelerated ions instead of hot plasmas. The best known device that utilises the principle is the Farnsworth-Hirsch Fusor. It has been argued that such devices have potential applications in spaceflight because of weight and other advantages. However, like other fusion reactors, practical machines have not yet been forthcoming. This paper builds on previous work to suggest an alternative topology for IEC-like reactors. This topology inverts the normal machine structure, potentially has significant advantages over standard designs and may achieve the reaction-rates necessary for practical power generation.

Citation

MACLEOD, C. and GERRARD, C.E. 2015. An alternative design for electrostatically accelerated ion beam fusion. Journal of the British Interplanetary Society [online], 68, pages 336-341. Available from: http://www.jbis.org.uk/paper.php?p=2015.68.336

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 15, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Nov 30, 2015
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Apr 14, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 14, 2016
• Journal: Journal of the British Interplanetary Society
• Print ISSN: 0007-084X
• Publisher: British Interplanetary Society
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 68
• Pages: 336-341
• Keywords: Nuclear fusion; Fusor; Inertial electrostatic confinement; Power
• Public URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10059/1437
• Publisher URL: http://www.jbis.org.uk/paper.php?p=2015.68.336