Abstract
A feasibility study of fusion reactors based on accelerators is carried out. We consider a novel scheme where a beam from the accelerator hits the target plasma on the resonance of the fusion reaction and establish characteristic criteria for a workable reactor. We consider the reactions d+t→n+α, d+3He→p+α and p+11B→3α in this study. The critical temperature of the plasma is determined from overcoming the stopping power of the beam with the fusion energy gain. The needed plasma lifetime is determined from the width of the resonance, the beam velocity and the plasma density. We estimate the critical beam flux by balancing the energy of fusion production against the plasma thermo-energy and the loss due to stopping power for the case of an inert plasma. The product of critical flux and plasma lifetime is independent of plasma density and has a weak dependence on temperature. Even though the critical temperatures for these reactions are lower than those for the thermonuclear reactors, the critical flux is in the range of 1022-1024 cm-2s-1 for the plasma density ρt=1015 cm-3 in the case of an inert plasma. Several approaches to control the growth of the two-stream instability are discussed. We have also considered several scenarios for practical implementation which will require further studies. Finally, we consider the case where the injected beam at the resonance energy maintains the plasma temperature and prolongs its lifetime to reach a steady state. The equations for power balance and particle number conservation are given for this case.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-2017
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-4326/aa7642
Repository Citation
Liu, Keh-Fei and Wu Chao, Alexander, "Accelerator Based Fusion Reactor" (2017). Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications. 500.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/physastron_facpub/500
Notes/Citation Information
Published in Nuclear Fusion, v. 57, no. 8, p. 1-7.
© 2017 IAEA, Vienna
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