Large- Scale Computer Simulation Work Initiated
LPP will be starting an ambitious large-scale computer simulation project at the beginning of January, in collaboration with Dr. David Rose of Voss Scientific and Dr. John Guillory, emeritus professor at George Mason University. In this project we expect to use open-source software developed by Dr. Robert Terry.
The aim of the first year of the simulation is to use an innovative approach to simulating the run-down phase of the plasma focus process and the formation of the plasmoid-- the dense, self contained ball of plasma where the fusion reactions take place. No simulation so far has shown exactly how the plasmoid is formed and what conditions are optimal for transferring energy efficiently into the plasmoid. If the simulation can succeed in doing this, we can use it to guide the design of electrodes in future experiments. Once an experiment is started, the simulation will as well be useful in understanding the experimental results.
After the first year, a further goal will be to simulate the plasmoid during its brief lifetime as it burns the fusion fuel. Other goals may include simulating the ion beam that the plasmoid emits and seeing how to optimally transfer energy from the beam into a circuit for energy output.