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: Cylindrical or Axial flow IEC
Date: Jan 13, 4:59 pm
Poster: Nathan K

On Jan 13, 4:59 pm, Nathan K wrote:


>Sure, this seems easier, but from the paper, I think it takes a bunch more voltage to get significant neutron production. Is the goal here to make an easy, simple, cheap thing that does fusion or a neutron source (in which case the spherical geometry is probably better), or to produce neutrons period or what..
>
>If all you want to do is make neutrons using fusion, an electrostatic potential drop accelerator producing 200 keV deuterons hitting a deuterium target (heavy water ice?) is probably the easiest route.
**************************************************

I think we are missing the point about axial flow. What I was trying to say was that axial flow IEC's like the one at U of I seem easier to make and seem to have the potential to be focused with just some minor modifications to the current scheme.

I don't know if anyone has noticed but in an axial flow IEC that puts you less than an inch away from the reaction zone, pretty convenient for research purposes. Try that in a spherical device.

Counting cylindrical IEC's out of the fusion game is just as foolish as counting any other IEC out of the fusion game. Axial flow seems to have the potential to focus the ions better than a spherical IEC.

As for neutron counts, if I'm not wrong Blair stated that the U of I unit could reach pretty high neutron rates, high enough to impress Richard Hull. If we are trying to do better than the pros or break even than good luck, I doubt any amateur will ever do that.

Either way, I still think Axial flow IEC's have a lot of potential for some real fun.

Nathan