[Convergence]

If no one ever tells you, I will, you sharing your insights, knowledge, and perspectives are greatly appreciated. I have been closely following these sights since I think about 2007 and spent many enjoyable hours reviewing different posts and papers(when they aren’t behing paywalls). I am of the opinion that Eric Lerner is truely a visionary and his work is keystone that leads to many possiblilities. It is not the device but the plasma structure and process that is important. The inward decaying plasmoid is the key. We don’t have gravity to work with so EM forces are the most logical substitute. I have run accross a couple of papers describing mathmatic models of the process of the inward decay of a plasmoid and how the filaments and there coalescence are important(sometimes I can only comprehend the abstract). The models may or may not be accurate but it seems to make sense from a conceptual point of view. The struggle with filament formation is one of the many reasons that I think this research is likely to lead to useful breakthroughs. I agree with you about the tokamak and the ITER. I can’t imagine how those programs ever get to a viable process. A keystone can unlock a multitude of potentials.

[Convergence]

The device looks like half a hypocycloidal device not the process. Maybe I am visualizing it incorrectly. Have people tried radial pinches and failed. It is hard to find out about the devices that didn’t work. It seems so much was attempted in the 60’s and 70’s and then the government just abandoned the thought process. A pitty if we have to relearn. The experienced individuals are aging and without programs a lot of that knowledge is in danger of not being passed on and being lost.

[Convergence]

Someone will correct me if I am wrong but that looks like half a hypocycloidal pinch device with a spiral. I have read the final NASA reports written by Dr. Lee. It formed two hot spots that were relatively long lived(that may not be a good thing). As I see it, it might be very hard to predict because you are combining the runup phase with the radial inward phase and that changes velocities, currents, forces, etc. In addition I don’t know that it will form the type of hot spot(collapsing plasmoid) that we all want. I think you are correct that filaments are essential for formation of a structure with the type of instabilities desired. It seems to me as complicated as the models are the only way to know is to build one and see. Anyone else?

[Convergence]

Thank you, that makes perfect sense. In regards to the side reactions producing neutrons, I was trying to imagine if there was a way to reduce the neutron production to a point where less shielding would be necessary and would be more applicable to transportation(aircraft, trains, trucks,etc). I guess that is for after ignition is reached.

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