Electrostatically confined fusion reactor

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the efficiency of producing tritium (T) from deuterium (D) using an electrostatically confined plasma reactor. It is established that D has a low thermal neutron absorption cross-section of approximately 0.5 mb, significantly lower than hydrogen's 0.33 barn and lithium-6's 0.9 barn. While D-D fusion can yield T in about 50% of reactions, the energy input required is substantial compared to the neutron absorption capabilities of lithium-6, making lithium a more effective option for tritium production.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electrostatic confinement in plasma physics
  • Knowledge of nuclear fusion reactions, specifically D-D and (n,alpha) reactions
  • Familiarity with neutron absorption cross-sections and their significance
  • Basic principles of tritium production and its applications in fusion reactors
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mechanisms of electrostatic confinement in plasma reactors
  • Study the D-D fusion process and its energy requirements
  • Explore the (n,alpha) reaction involving lithium-6 for tritium production
  • Investigate neutron absorption cross-sections in various isotopes
USEFUL FOR

Researchers in nuclear fusion, plasma physicists, and engineers involved in the development of fusion reactors, particularly those focused on tritium production methods.

MR. P
does an electrostatically confined plasma fed tritium produce energetic e3nough neutrons to create tritium if allowed to irradiate deutrium ?
 
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It is more effective to produce tritium from an (n,alpha) reaction with Li.

The problem of producing T from D is that D has such a low cross-section for thremal neutron absorption. The microscopic absorption for thermal n's by D is approximately 0.5 mb (or 0.0005 barn) vs the n-absorption cross-section for H of ~0.33 barn, and ~0.9 barn for Li-6.

Also D-D fusion produces T in ~50% of reactions, but again the energy input is considerable, and much greater than n-absorption by Li-6.
 

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