The Dense Plasma Focus (DPF) is the reactor that will be used for the Focus Fusion energy generation process. This section takes us from the invention of the DPF in 1964 by Mather and Fillipov, through the theories of Eric Lerner as to its operation, and to the present efforts to configure the DPF for net energy production in a fusion reaction.
TheoryWhat is the concept being tested by LPP? That a modified DPF can achieve net energy with pB11 fuel.
DPF DesignHow was LPP's experimental device designed? What are its parts & systems?
Other Uses of the DPFThe DPF is a useful device with many functions. Here we list the top commercial, military and research uses.
DPF ResearchWho else is using a DPF in research? What questions are they pursuing?
History of the DPFAs contrasted to history of LPP?
Anything else?What else needs to go here to cover "DPF" as a category? Jobs, learning institutions?
Chris Hagen of National Security Technologies announced for the first time at a November conference in Warsaw, Poland work that has been ongoing for a few years in Las Vegas, Nevada to use large DPFs as neutron sources for testing purposes.
Enjoy this first draft movie about the dense plasma focus, incorporating animation by Torulf Greek. This was made with Sony Moviemaker. From this humble beginning, we hope to make many more films about fusion. Your contribution is essential to this process.
Animation by Torulf Greek, edited together with pictures by yours truly.
Some things to note:
There is a wealth of information and activity on the Plasma Focus, which is not very well known outside the field. It’s one of the goals of FFS to make this activity better known, and especially to make the emerging concepts accessible to a non-technical audience. See a few key links listed below.
An article in “Next Big Future” talks about Focus Fusion and other DPF approaches.
With the help of Dr. Mohamed Sawan of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Dr. Subramanian and Mr. Lerner have completed the design of the shielding walls.
Pavel Kubes et al (IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, 37, 83, Jan. 2009) present more evidence of high energy ions in a plasma focus.
Dr. Jan Brzosko reports that the DPF can function in a highly repeatable manner.
A new analysis by Lerner of experimental results from several z-pinch experiments show that the electron temperatures can only be explained by the magnetic field effect. The results therefore constitute the first laboratory confirmation of Lerner’s predictions about the effect and add credibility to our expectations that the effect will allow net energy production with pB11 fuel. The effect reduces the x-ray emission from the hot plasmoid and makes it possible for it to rapidly heat up to ideal fusion temperatures.
Good news for those of you who have been curious about the capacitor banks: They’ve arrived. The switch has been ordered (Dec. 19, 2008) and shipped! (April 24, 2009)
Please bear with us.
