Fusion Message Board

In this space, visitors are invited to post any comments, questions, or skeptical observations about Philo T. Farnsworth's contributions to the field of Nuclear Fusion research.

Subject: Re: Far from breakeven?
Date: Jan 05, 3:48 pm
Poster: Richard Hull

On Jan 05, 3:48 pm, Richard Hull wrote:

>Found this passage in a posting on another mailing lis:
>
>-- why has the design
>not been pursued? The answer is that Fusors suffer from grid losses
>-- the ions which fail to fuse on a given pass do not recirclate
>enough times to assure reaction. The Farnsworth/Hirsch design misses
>breakeven by a factor of about 10,000.

All,

Bjorn is basically correct.

The fusor, as in current working models, is the simple Hirsch fusor which I call the Farnsworth-Hirsch fusor. It is the simplest fusion device on the planet. It utilizes just two grids. it is, in effect, a linear accelerator in the round.

Tom Ligon and I like to refer to it as a "spherical collider" Which is really a better term that the more accepted "inertial electrostatic confinement" device used by Farnsworth originally and Dr. Miley of late.

Electrostatics only urge the deuterium ions to collide at a common point!

They are not confined!

Many of the ions in lower pressure machines recirculate, having missed colliding in their first pass into the poissor. Those that do collide, become a kentic beast whether fused or not. The material that enters the poissor never- ever stays there!!! There is no electrostatic confinement. Once there, there is even a repulsive force to push them out. (electrostatic, kenetic, thermal) This is the beauty of the system. Some of this is often lost on the casual observer. Ions actually are collided in a spot totally defined by electrostatic urgings. They are also spit out of that spot by the same urging and more! Following their journey to the poissor they all leave equally as quickly.

Thus, the major losses in the fusor are grid losses. There are methods around this which are under investigation now. Most involve leaving the simple two grid fusor behind, inspite of its excellent record at producing fusion. The variants are many, but none rely on 100 ton energy gobbling magnet structures, lorentz forces, Z-pinch, multi-terawatt lasers, or millions of the money!!!!!!!!

Enuff said......

Richard Hull