A reconsideration of electrostatically accelerated and confined nuclear fusion for space applications.

Macleod, Christopher; Gow, Kenneth S.

Abstract

Most present-day research into Nuclear Fusion concentrates on high-temperature plasmas combined with Inertial or Magnetic Confinement. However, there exists another body of less well-known work based on Electrostatic Acceleration and Confinement. The most thoroughly researched of these devices is known as the Farnsworth Fusor. This paper reviews the technique and then argues that, with development, similar technologies would be particularly suited to space-borne applications, due to their safety, simplicity and light weight. The paper then goes on to suggest several possible directions for new research into such devices which might result in a working machine.

Citation

MACLEOD, C. and GOW, K.S. 2010. A reconsideration of electrostatically accelerated and confined nuclear fusion for space applications. Journal of the British Interplanetary Society [online], 63(5/6), pages 192-205. Available from: http://jbis.org.uk/paper.php?p=2010.63.192

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 31, 2010
• Online Publication Date: Dec 31, 2010
• Publication Date: Dec 31, 2010
• Deposit Date: Apr 4, 2011
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 4, 2011
• Journal: Journal of the British Interplanetary Society
• Print ISSN: 0007-084X
• Publisher: British Interplanetary Society
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 63
• Issue: 5-6
• Pages: 192-205
• Keywords: Nuclear fusion; Fusers; Fuseotron; Scram; Electromagnetic activation; Inertial electrostatic confinement; Propulsion; Power; Electrostatic acceleration
• Public URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10059/587
• Publisher URL: http://jbis.org.uk/paper.php?p=2010.63.192