Reply To: Fusion X-prize petition started!

[AaronB]

Adam,
Sounds like you are looking for more detailed information. Most people have a hard time digesting it, but if you want to give it a try, see Technical Paper I and II on the main FFS page, paying close attention to the references at the end. There is no “proof” that this will work, only indicators. Here are some of those indicators: the DPF is a known fusion device, scaling laws based on previous experiments indicate the target range we need in the next experiment, and the magnetic field effect will probably play a significant role in lessening radiation losses.
Fusion generators are a futuristic dream at this point, like in Back to the Future. However, the basic principles are pretty well understood. They are the same as an internal combustion engine: fuel, compression, ignition, time to react, extracting/converting the released energy into a useable form, and eliminating waste. We just need to increase the efficiency of each step in order to come out with a final net gain. There is no question about whether fusion is going on. It is only a matter of increasing the efficiency. You asked if an investor would rather go for the old-reliable investment (fission) or the long-shot gamble (fusion). While the government may not be willing to take the risk, I am. The proof will come in the success or failure of the next experiment.