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: Farnsworth's results
Date: Jul 24, 10:02 am
Poster: Richard HullOn Jul 24, 10:02 am, Richard Hull wrote:
>Reading the website, I gleaned the following concerning the results Farnworth had:
>>
>50.0 Mn @ 80 Kv x 30 mA = 2400va: 20833 n/va
.......................
This measurement I feel is very solid and is quite typical of what George Miley's group is curently doing at Univ of Illonis with simple two grid fusors as discussed here.
This was rather early Farnsworth team results. RH
................................
> 1.0 Gn @ 20 Kv x 1 mA = 20va: 50000000 n/va
.........................
I think that this is totally wrong. A transcription error. RH
...........................
> 2.6 Gn @ 105 Kv x 45 mA = 4725va: 550265 n/va
>15.5 Gn @ 150 Kv x 70 mA = 10500va: 1476190 n/va
...................
The above two measurements are from some of the best fusor efforts near the end of the work and are the total neutron output of the device at the specified voltamp rating. RH
.......................
All,
It must be remembered that a 50-50 mix of Tritium and Deuterium was being used here. Tritium is highly radioactive! This really boosts the output of any fusion device! Tritium is not even used by the modern pros at U of I! (***NOTE*** tritium is always produced in a working deuterium only fusor, however.).
The licensing hassles for an on-site store of Tritium with the NRC are outrageous even for a major institution. No one wants any RAD stuff near their employees, students or the public! Thus, modern efforts with fusors of lesser capabilities and of limited design, using only deuterium are far below those of the 1958-68 effort by the Farnsworth -ITT team.
Richard Hull