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An alternative design for electrostatically accelerated ion beam fusion.

MacLeod, Christopher; Gerrard, Claire E.

Authors

Christopher MacLeod

Claire E. Gerrard



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
Contract Date Apr 14, 2016

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