Basic cross section data for aneutronic reactor

Feldbacher, R.; Heindler, M.

doi:10.1016/0168-9002(88)91125-4

Cited by 21 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Aneutronic plasma fusion systems have been increasingly discussed as possible energy sources without the disadvantage of long-lived radioactive end-products [1]. The most frequently quoted aneutronic energy sources are the 3 He( 3 He, 2p) 4 He (Q=12.9 MeV) and the 11 B(p, 2α) 4 He (Q=8.7 MeV) reactions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low energy measurements of the B10(p,α)Be7 reaction

2017

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Background:The 11 B(p, 2α) 4 He reaction is being discussed as a prime candidate for advanced aneutronic fusion fuel systems. Particular interest in this reaction has recently emerged for laser driven plasma systems for energy generation and jet-propulsion systems. The lack of long-lived radioactive reaction products has been suggested as the main advantage of proton-boron fusion fuel. However, 19% of natural boron is 10 B, with the 10 B(p, α) 7 Be fusion reaction producing long-lived 7 Be as a side product.Purpose: A detailed measurement of the 10 B(p, α) 7 Be reaction over the critical energy range of hot fusion plasma environments will help to determine the amount of 7 Be radioactivity being produced. This information can be used in turn to monitor the actual fusion temperature by off-line measurement of the extracted 7 Be activity. The goal of the here presented experiment is to expand on the results of earlier experiments, covering a wider energy range of interest for aneutronic plasma fusion applications, including also both 10 B(p, α0) 7 Be and the 10 B(p, α1)7 Be reaction channels.Method: The reaction cross section was measured over a wide energy range from Ep = 400 to 1000 keV using particle detection and from Ep = 80 to 1440 keV using γ-ray spectroscopic techniques. Reaction α particles were measured at different angles to obtain angular distribution information. The results are discussed in terms of an R-matrix analysis. Results:The cross section data cover a wider energy range than previously investigated and bridge a gap in the previously available data sets. The cross sections show good agreement with previous results in the low energy region and show that the 10 B(p, α0) 7 Be channel is considerably larger than that of the 10 B(p, α1) 7 Be channel up to Ep ≈ 1 MeV. Conclusions:The new reaction data provides important new information about the reaction cross section over the entire energy range of plasma fusion facilities. This data, when coupled with previous measurement of the competing 10 B(p, γ) 11 C reaction will provide the opportunity for an extensive R-matrix analysis of the rather complex level structure in the 11 C compound nucleus system.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low energy measurements of the B10(p,α)Be7 reaction

2017

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“…It decays to 3α through α + 8 Be, 8 Be decaying in ∼10 −16 s [1,2,12]. The summary energy W = 8.681 MeV is distributed among α-particles as 2/3, 1/6 and 1/6 [13,14]. We will designate the first α-particle as α1 and the rest two as α2-particles.…”

Section: The P-11 B Reaction and Conversion Of Energy Of α-Particlesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aneutronic fusion on the base of asymmetrical centrifugal trap

Volosov

2006

Nucl. Fusion

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A physical design of a device that can be a base for a direct-conversion nuclear electric power station is considered. The project considers the aneutronic reaction P–11B in the asymmetric centrifugal trap. Kinetic energy of nuclear particles (alpha particles) is converted into electrical energy inside this device; no thermal cycle is used. Heating and recuperation of energy of protons and boron ions take place in the plasma space. The presented scheme differs significantly from the conventional thermonuclear fusion. ‘Fast’ protons, which are the main energy component of plasma, have an almost monoenergetic spectrum. This makes it possible to realize the ‘resonance’ fusion.

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