[DerekShannon]

@zapkitty, it sounds like you are looking for Table 3 of “Technical Paper I” listed under the LPPx category here on FFS, in which beam and x-ray output relative to input is calculated for various parameters. Direct link.

[DerekShannon]

There will be some mention of the potential D + nitrogen signal in the February wrap-up–Stay tuned!

[DerekShannon]

We didn’t miss it, it was too expensive!

[DerekShannon]

The nitrogen is not expected to participate in fusion reactions–It is there to increase the average Z of the gas.

[DerekShannon]

Very interesting, I’m sure Eric will chime in when he has a minute.

[DerekShannon]

Not yet, especially since the X-rays get worse with the square of atomic number, so mo’ boron mo’ brem, but see the slide in Eric’s Google talk where results have already more closely matched predictions with the magnetic field effect factored in.

[DerekShannon]

I don’t see how the way you are proposing CNO would be advantageous here is compatible with how a dense plasma focus works. The mass FUSED will remain trivial relative to the overall reaction mass required for high-thrust applications, so boron would not be at a disadvantage.

[DerekShannon]

Why would you ever want to do that, and how would you capture all the energy released by the gamma rays?

[DerekShannon]

How will you fill your “octanol” tank with these short-lived missing ingredients to begin with?

[DerekShannon]

The key part is “thermo.” Physicists skeptical of the ability of the DPF to scale up to higher fusion yields attribute the fusion reactions to high energy beams and not to a thermalized plasma–Note that there could be beams AND a thermalized plasma.

[DerekShannon]

I think this would be a good idea, and I think it would also be a way to expose people who are looking for greener/cheaper energy to the idea of fusion in the near future.

At the same time, it is valid to note that NJ’s electricity is already 50% nuclear, which is at least carbon-free. So will the new mix reflect 50% nuclear plus 20% renewable for 70% carbon-free? Or could you end up with 20% renewables, with lower costs overall because the remaining 80% comes from the cheapest coal-fired sources?

Note that your costs should be a bit higher if you purchased 100% renewable. This is because Viridian (and you through them) is buying a Renewable Energy Certificate on top of the base electricity price–That’s what makes it officially “renewable.”

[DerekShannon]

The gigalux units were in reference to calibrations of the ICCD camera.

[DerekShannon]

Breakeven is not a requirement to act as a D-D neutron source, but I’ll hope Eric is right with his point #1.

[DerekShannon]

For further clarification, suitable volunteers would need to already have access and experience with COMSOL or other finite analysis programs, since we won’t be able to provide software (the licenses are rather pricey!)

[DerekShannon]

Yeah, cause I was gonna wait and ask you to do it! ;-P

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