Heat generation above break-even from laser-induced fusion in ultra-dense deuterium

Journal Article · Sat Aug 15 04:00:00 EDT 2015 · AIP Advances

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4928572· OSTI ID:22492307

Holmlid, Leif ^[1]

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1. Atmospheric Science, Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, SE-412 96 Göteborg (Sweden)

Previous results from laser-induced processes in ultra-dense deuterium D(0) give conclusive evidence for ejection of neutral massive particles with energy >10 MeV u{sup −1}. Such particles can only be formed from nuclear processes like nuclear fusion at the low laser intensity used. Heat generation is of interest for future fusion energy applications and has now been measured by a small copper (Cu) cylinder surrounding the laser target. The temperature rise of the Cu cylinder is measured with an NTC resistor during around 5000 laser shots per measured point. No heating in the apparatus or the gas feed is normally used. The fusion process is suboptimal relative to previously published studies by a factor of around 10. The small neutral particles H{sub N}(0) of ultra-dense hydrogen (size of a few pm) escape with a substantial fraction of the energy. Heat loss to the D{sub 2} gas (at <1 mbar pressure) is measured and compensated for under various conditions. Heat release of a few W is observed, at up to 50% higher energy than the total laser input thus a gain of 1.5. This is uniquely high for the use of deuterium as fusion fuel. With a slightly different setup, a thermal gain of 2 is reached, thus clearly above break-even for all neutronicity values possible. Also including the large kinetic energy which is directly measured for MeV particles leaving through a small opening gives a gain of 2.3. Taking into account the lower efficiency now due to the suboptimal fusion process, previous studies indicate a gain of at least 20 during long periods.

• OSTI ID: 22492307
• Journal Information: AIP Advances, Journal Name: AIP Advances Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 5; ISSN AAIDBI; ISSN 2158-3226
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
COPPER
DEUTERIUM
GAIN
HEAT
HEAT LOSSES
HYDROGEN
KINETIC ENERGY
LASER TARGETS
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
LASERS
MEV RANGE
NEUTRAL PARTICLES
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
RESISTORS
THERMONUCLEAR FUELS
THERMONUCLEAR REACTORS