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Comments on the Feasibility of Achieving Scientific Break-Even with a Plasma Focus Machine

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Current Trends in International Fusion Research

Abstract

This paper discusses some aspects of dense plasma focus (DPF) operation relevant to its extrapolation to hundreds of MJ energy storage. Experiments show, that the main fusion production mechanism is based on the plasma target-beam interaction i.e.: the pinch and the expanding column form hot and dense plasma target, that confines the hundred keV ion beams, produced during the column instability phase. Using a new compilation of neutron yield scaling with capacitor bank energies (Wo) it is expected that the scientific break-even will occur for Wo of a few hundreds of MJ, not less than Wo=50 MJ, assuming that plasma parameters will evolve in the same manner as for the existing DPF machines.

Strength of DPF research program lies in the fact that, it is based on two complementary and realistic lines of R&D actions. The first line of action considers two independent scaling tests of DPF performance at ten MJ energy level in Russia and USA. Both tests can use existing energy storages and chambers. The scaling tests will additionally demonstrate the operation of DPF in the insulator free version and the use of inductive storage. The second line of action (already implemented) is to use the DPFs, as intense and pulsed sources of neutrons, X-rays and ion beams. Selected examples of 100 kJ class DPF (and below) are shown to demonstrate the potentials of industrial applications and near-term payoffs.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Avegadro Energy Systems Inc., Staten Island, New York, USA

    J. S. Brzosko

  2. Phillips Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, USA

    J. H. Degnan & G. F. Kiutlu

  3. Kurchatov Institute, Moscow, Russia

    N. V. Filippov

  4. Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA

    B. L. Freeman

  5. University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

    J. W. Mather

Authors
  1. J. S. Brzosko
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  2. J. H. Degnan
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  3. N. V. Filippov
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  4. B. L. Freeman
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  5. G. F. Kiutlu
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  6. J. W. Mather
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Advanced Laser and Fusion Technology, Inc., Hull, P.Q., Canada

    Emilio Panarella

  2. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

    Emilio Panarella

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© 1997 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Brzosko, J.S., Degnan, J.H., Filippov, N.V., Freeman, B.L., Kiutlu, G.F., Mather, J.W. (1997). Comments on the Feasibility of Achieving Scientific Break-Even with a Plasma Focus Machine. In: Panarella, E. (eds) Current Trends in International Fusion Research. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5867-5_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5867-5_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-7690-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-5867-5

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