Viability of the11B(p,α) 2α Cycle
- 1 September 1983
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis in Nuclear Technology - Fusion
- Vol. 4 (2P2) , 348-352
- https://doi.org/10.13182/fst83-a22889
Abstract
We have evaluated the energetics of the proton-11boron advanced fuel fusion cycle and find that the enhancement of reactivity obtained from non-thermal mechanisms is significantly less than the enhancement required for ignition or high gain operation. Based on a detailed calculation of synchrotron radiation losses, at least 135% enhancement of the reactivity is needed for ignition. The direct and induced radioactivity associated with the cycle, while being orders of magnitude lower than that of D-T, is not negligible and requires serious attention in the design. Thus, we conclude that, using our present physics knowledge, the p-11B cycle is not viable for commercial fusion power.Keywords
This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit:
- On the potentiality of the proton-boron fuel for inertially confined fusionNuclear Fusion, 1982
- Low energy cross sections for 11B(p, 3α)Nuclear Physics A, 1979