DISCLOSURE / FILE
A November 2010 DIA Defense Intelligence Reference Document, prepared under the AAWSA program, reviewing aneutronic fusion propulsion concepts for near-space, orbital, interplanetary, and interstellar applications.
DIA AATIP Defense Intelligence Reference Documents (38 DIRDs), FOIA Release, DIRD_37-DIRD_Aneutronic_Fusion_Propulsion_II.pdf
A November 2010 DIA Defense Intelligence Reference Document, prepared under the AAWSA program, reviewing aneutronic fusion propulsion concepts for near-space, orbital, interplanetary, and interstellar applications.
DIA-08-1011-004, dated 01 November 2010 with an information cutoff of 20 July 2010, is one of the AAWSA-commissioned reference documents reviewing aneutronic fusion (fusion fuels that produce no neutrons, such as p+11B yielding three alpha particles) as a propulsion technology. The 36-page report walks through fusion plasma physics, confinement schemes (magnetic, inertial, electrostatic, and magneto-inertial), and propulsion architectures including field-reversed configuration, dense plasma focus, and inertial electrostatic confinement. It identifies near-term commercial and military GEO satellite broadband communication as the first driver of aneutronic fusion propulsion development, with extension to Mars and beyond requiring >100 kW systems. The report cautions that fusion propulsion will not be practical beyond the solar system absent breakthrough propulsion physics.
Controlled fusion energy production has been under development for 60 years. The primary objective has been gaining the ability to create terrestrial power plants using deuterium and tritium as fuel.p.5
Such "aneutronic" fusion fuels, such as hydrogen fusing with Boron-11, have been studied extensively for space propulsion applications since the 1980s.p.5
The future technology development of aneutronic fusion propulsion will initially be motivated by the very large GEO satellites that will be developed in the next 20 years for commercial and military broadband communication.p.5
Will not be practical beyond the solar system unless breakthrough propulsion physics can assist the flight to the next stellar system, where fusion "ion thrusters" can then be used.p.7
When a deuterium gas was supplied to the chamber and a few-microsecond pulse at 30 kV was applied to the electrodes, D-D fusion occurred, releasing He and neutrons.p.6
While the ignition temperature is up to a factor of 10 higher for the aneutronic fusion reactions, the confinement power required for ignition will be one to two orders of magnitude greater.
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UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Defense Intelligence Reference Document Defense Futures 01 November 2010 ICOD: 20 July 2010 DIA-08-1011-004 Aneutronic Fusion Propulsion UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
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UNCLASSIFIED/FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY (U) Aneutronic Fusion Propulsion The Defense Intelligence Reference Document provides nonsubstantive but authoritative reference information related to intelligence topics or methodologies. Prepared by: (b)(3):10 USC 424 Defense Intelligence Agency Authors: (b)(6) COPYRIGHT WARNING: Further dissemination of the photographs in this publication is not authorized. This product is one of a series of advanced technology reports produced in FY 2010 under the Defense Intelligence Agency, (b)(3):10 USC 424 Advanced Aerospace Weapons System Applications (AAWSA) Program. Comments or questions pertaining to this document should be addressed to (b)(3):10 USC 424;(b)(6) AAWSA Program Manager, Defense Intelligence Agency, ATTN: (b)(3):10 USC 424 (b)(3):10 USC 424 Bldg 6000, Washington D.C. 20340-5100. UNCLASSIFIED/FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY ii
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UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Defense Intelligence Reference Document Defense Futures 01 November 2010 ICOD: 20 July 2010 DIA-08-1011-004 Aneutronic Fusion Propulsion UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
UNCLASSIFIED/FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY (U) Aneutronic Fusion Propulsion The Defense Intelligence Reference Document provides nonsubstantive but authoritative reference information related to intelligence topics or methodologies. Prepared by: (b)(3):10 USC 424 Defense Intelligence Agency Authors: (b)(6) COPYRIGHT WARNING: Further dissemination of the photographs in this publication is not authorized. This product is one of a series of advanced technology reports produced in FY 2010 under the Defense Intelligence Agency, (b)(3):10 USC 424 Advanced Aerospace Weapons System Applications (AAWSA) Program. Comments or questions pertaining to this document should be addressed to (b)(3):10 USC 424;(b)(6) AAWSA Program Manager, Defense Intelligence Agency, ATTN: (b)(3):10 USC 424 (b)(3):10 USC 424 Bldg 6000, Washington D.C. 20340-5100. UNCLASSIFIED/FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY ii
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Chapter 8: Endnotes
1 Elmore, W.C., J.L. Tuck, and K.M. Watson, "On the inertial-electrostatic confinement of a plasma," Phys. Fluids, 2, 239, 1959.
2 Farnsworth, P.T., "Electric Discharge Device for Producing Interactions Between Nuclei, U.S. Patent No. 3,358,402, issued June 28, 1966, initially filed May 5, 1956, reviewed Oct. 18, 1960, filed Jan. 11, 1962.
3 Hirsch, R.L., Experimental studies of a deep, negative, electrostatic potential well in spherical geometry," Phys. Fluids, 11, 2486, 1968.
4 Rider, T.H., "A general critique of inertial-electrostatic confinement fusion systems," Phys. Plasmas 2 (6), 1853, 1995.
5 Bussard, R.W., "Some physics considerations of magnetic inertial-electrostatic confinement: A new concept for spherical converging-flow fusion," Fusion Tech., 19, 273, 1991.
6 Barnes, D.C., R.A. Nebel, and L. Turner, "Production and application of dense Penning trap plasmas," Phys. Fluids, B 5, 3651, 1993.
7 Nebel, R.A. and D.C. Barnes, "The periodically oscillating plasma sphere," Fusion Tech., 38, 28, 1998.
8 Park, J., R.A. Nebel, S. Stange, and S. Krupakar Murali, "Experimental observation of a periodically oscillating plasma sphere in a gridded inertial electrostatic confinement device," Phys. Rev. Lett., doi: 10.1103/Phys. Rev Lett., 95.015003, 2005.
9 Thio, Y.C.F., "Status of the US program in magneto-inertial fusion," J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. 112 042084, doi: 10.1088/1742-6596/112/4/042084, 2008.
10 J.F. Santarius and B.G. Logan, "Generic Magnetic Fusion Rocket Model," Journal of Propulsion and Power 14, 519 (1998); Propulsion and Power 14, 519 (1998);UFDM-914 April 1993 presented at 29th AIAA Joint Propulsion Conf, paper AIAA-93-2029, June28-30, 1993. Monterey, CA
11 F.J. Wessel, M.W. Binderbauer, N. Rostoker, H.U. Rahman, and J.O'Toole, "Colliding Beam Fusion Reactor Space Propulsion System," Space Technology and Applications International Forum--2000 (American Institute of Physics, Albuquerque, NM, 2000), p. 1425.
12 Knecht, S.D., R.H. Thomas, F.B. Mead , G. H. Miley and D. Froning, "Propulsion and Power Density Capabilities of Dense Plasma Focus (DPF) Fusion Systems for Military Aerospace Vehicles", in Proceedings of Space Technology and Applications International Forum (STAIF-006), edited by M. El-Genk, AIP Conference Proceedings, p. 1232-1239.
13 Thomas, R., Yang, Y., Miley, G.H., Mead, F.B.., "Advancements in Dense Plasma Focus for Space Propulsion," in Proceedings of Space Technology and Applications International Forum (STAIF-005), edited by M. El-Genk, AIP Conference Proceedings 746, Melville, New York, 2005 pp. 536-543.
14 J. Slough, R. Milroy, T. Ziemba and S. Woodruff., "Compression, Heating and Fusion of Colliding Plasmoids by a Z-theta Driven Plasma Liner," J. of Fusion Energy 26, 191, (June 2007).
15 H. Froning, "Combining MHD Air breathing and Aneutronic Fusion for Aerospace Plane Power and Propulsion," 14th AIAA/AHI Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference, June 2006.
16 K. DeGrys, B. Welander, J. Dimicco, S. Wenzel, B. Kay, V. Khayms, and J. Paisley "4.5 kW Hall Thruster System Qualification Status," Proc. 41st AIAA/ASME-SAE-ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, July, 2005
17 G. Miley, H. Momota, L. Wu, M. Reilley, V. Teofilo, R. Dell, and R. Hargus, "Space Probe Application of IEC Thrusters," Fusion Science and Technology 56 1, 533-539 July 2009.
18 F. Thio et al., "A Summary of the NASA Fusion Propulsion Workshop 2000", Proc. 37th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference , July 2001.
19 J. Santarius and F. Thio, "Fusion Propulsion: Attractiveness and Issues," Proc. of 31st AIAA Plasmadynamics and Lasers Conference, June 2000.
20 Bussard, R. W., "Galactic Matter and Interstellar Flight," Astronautica Acta, 6, 179-194, 1960.
31
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYUNCLASSIFIED/FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Contents Chapter 1: Concept Overview ............................................................................ 1 Chapter 2: Fusion Plasma Physics ..................................................................... 3 2.1 Magnetic Confinement.......................................................................... 5 2.2 Inertial Confinement ........................................................................... 7 2.3 Electrostatic Confinement ................................................................... 8 2.4 Magneto-Inertial Confinement ............................................................. 9 Chapter 3: Fusion Propulsion ........................................................................... 11 3.1 Fusion Reactors for Propulsion............................................................ 11 3.2 Air Propulsion .................................................................................. 13 3.3 Ion Propulsion ................................................................................. 14 3.4 Plasma Thruster ............................................................................... 14 Chapter 4: Applications .................................................................................. 17 4.1 Near Space ...................................................................................... 17 4.2 Earth Orbit ...................................................................................... 17 4.3 Interplanetary.................................................................................. 18 4.4 Interstellar....................................................................................... 19 Chapter 5: Recent Developments .................................................................... 21 5.1 U.S. DOE Programs........................................................................... 21 5.2 International Programs...................................................................... 21 5.3 NASA Programs................................................................................ 23 5.4 Privately Funded Programs ................................................................ 23 Chapter 6: Future Developments..................................................................... 25 6.1 Near-Term Developments .................................................................. 25 6.2 Mid-Term Developments ................................................................... 27 6.3 Far-Term Development...................................................................... 28 Chapter 7: Conclusions................................................................................... 30 UNCLASSIFIED/FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY iii
UNCLASSIFIED/FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Chapter 8: Endnotes....................................................................................... 31 Figures Figure 1. Fusion Reaction Cross Sections vs. Temperature..................................... 4 Figure 2. Magnetic Mirror Confinement ............................................................... 6 Figure 3. a) Tokamak and b) Stellarator Confinement............................................ 6 Figure 4. Field-Reversed Configuration ............................................................... 7 Figure 5. IEC Fusor and Polywell Confinement Configurations ................................ 8 Figure 6. Magnetized Target Fusion Experiment at LANL....................................... 10 Figure 7. Dense Plasma Focus (Lawrenceville Plasma Physics)............................... 10 Figure 8. Specific Power as a Function of Plasma Temperature of Fusion Rocket. 11 Figure 9. Colliding Beam Fusion Reactor ............................................................ 12 Figure 10. DPF Thruster System With Direct Conversion....................................... 12 Figure 11. Magnetized Target Fusion Reactor ..................................................... 13 Figure 12. MHD Air-Breathing and Fusion Rocket Aerospace Plane ........................ 13 Figure 13. Design of an IEC Jet Thruster - Experimental Device............................ 18 Figure 14. Comparison of Fusion, Nuclear-Thermal, and Chemical Propulsion for Same Payload.................................................................................................. 19 Figure 15. Thrust-to-Weight Ratio and Exhaust Velocity Regimes for Various Long- Range Space Propulsion Options........................................................................ 19 Figure 16. Bussard Ram Jet............................................................................. 20 Figure 17. Progress in Tokomak Magnetic Confinement Fusion .............................. 22 Figure 18. ITER Design Concept With BWR Size and Blanket Segment ................... 23 Figure 19. Experiments To Prove a Plasma Fusion Propulsion Concept .................. 28 Figure 20. Roadmap to Aneutronic Fusion Propulsion Development........................ 29 Tables Table 1: Principal Fusion Reactions......................................................................3 Table 2: Fusion Peak Interaction Temperatures and Fusion Energy to X-rays..........4 Table 3: Fusion Ignition Temperatures................................................................5 Table 4: Advanced Fusion Concept Reactor Companies.........................................24 Table 5: Emerging Technologies........................................................................26 UNCLASSIFIED/FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY iv
UNCLASSIFIED/FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Aneutronic Fusion Propulsion Summary Controlled fusion energy production has been under development for 60 years. The primary objective has been gaining the ability to create terrestrial power plants using deuterium and tritium as fuel. Unfortunately, this objective has been eluded for both technical and economic reasons. However, the threshold for achieving success in applying fusion to propulsion is considerably relaxed, especially if fuels are used that do not use tritium. Tritium has to be continuously bred; these reactions yield fast neutrons, which require shielding and cause structural materials to be periodically replaced. Such "aneutronic" fusion fuels, such as hydrogen fusing with Boron-11, have been studied extensively for space propulsion applications since the 1980s. This report reviews the basic fusion plasma physics, design concepts that apply aneutronic fusion for propulsion, and the requirements for transitioning to space. The predominant concepts studied include magnetic field reversed configuration, dense plasma focus and inertial electrostatic confinement. All of these concepts have venture capital funded programs for terrestrial fusion power. When applied to space or near-space propulsion, they can exceed the performance of any conventional electric thruster. The future technology development of aneutronic fusion propulsion will initially be motivated by the very large GEO satellites that will be developed in the next 20 years for commercial and military broadband communication. Further development of very-high-power propulsion systems (> 100 kW) to Mars and beyond will require major developments in all technology areas for confinement pulsed power and ion fuel beam accelerators. UNCLASSIFIED/FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY v
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Chapter 1: Concept Overview
Controlled thermonuclear fusion has been the aspiration for nuclear scientists and
engineers for the last 60 years. During that time, tens of billions of dollars have been
invested in this endeavor with the expected fruition being pushed even further into the
future. When Lyman Spitzer invented the Stellarator in 1951, it was expected to take
only 5 years of concentrated plasma physics experiments to harness the fusion of
hydrogen ions confined by magnetic fields. However, the numerous new instabilities
that arose under increasing higher magnetic confinement pressures have been a
roadblock to the success of controlled fusion.
In 1983, a rediscovery was made by Robert Bussard of a fusion device invented by
Robert Hirsch in his 1966 Ph.D. thesis. The Fusor, as Hirsch named it with his thesis
advisor and famous inventor Philo Farnsworth, simply used spherically concentric
electrodes in a vacuum chamber. When a deuterium gas was supplied to the chamber
and a few-microsecond pulse at 30 kV was applied to the electrodes, D-D fusion
occurred, releasing He and neutrons. Although it released less energy than was needed
to supply the initial electric pulse, it provided the evidence for a method to obtain
supplementary heating to ignition of magnetically confined plasmas.
The Fusor led to continued development of what is now called Inertial Electrostatic
Confinement (IEC) devices. Amongst these was the Dense Plasma Focus (DPF), a
plasma production tube invented in 1961, and several other devices. Magnetic
confinement devices utilized the IEC method with imploding layers of lithium or
applying intense beams from either end of a linear magnetic pinch device. This
resurgence of alternate confinement concepts was immediately applied to fusion space
propulsion since it was recognized that there would be an advantage over nuclear
fission propulsion with its costly safety requirements. For mitigating shielding mass and
tritium fuel launch-safety concerns, non-neutron-generating "aneutronic" fusion fuels
were also adopted.
Aneutronic fusion fuels include those isotopes of light elements that when fused
produce no neutrons or a very few from the fusion of daughter products. Although there
are eight such reactions for light nuclei, the most practical for fusion reactors include
the following:
D + ³He → ⁴He + p
P + ⁷Li → 2⁴He
p + ¹¹B → 3 ⁴He
In Chapter 2, we will review the fusion plasma physics needed to apply these
aneutronic reactions to a confinement device to make a fusion reactor practicable for
propulsion, which is described in Chapter 3. In Chapter 4, the relevance of these
aneutronic fusion propulsion concepts will be reviewed and assessed for aerospace
applications including near-space, orbital, and interplanetary propulsion, as well as the
potential for interstellar use. In Chapter 5, we will summarize the recent national,
international, and privately funded R&D that may expedite development, while in
Chapter 6, we outline an R&D path forward for the aneutronic fusion technologies and
systems needed for the next 50 years. Finally, we provide a summary in Chapter 7 that
that conveys aneutronic fusion propulsion:
1
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY • May have near-term applications to replace current satellite ion thrusters and extend application to interplanetary flight. • Requires extensive technology development for air and near-space applications. • Will not be practical beyond the solar system unless breakthrough propulsion physics can assist the flight to the next stellar system, where fusion "ion thrusters" can then be used. Despite the attention propulsion has gotten from the scientific community, the problem has been insufficiently addressed by the space science community. Although it is certainly true that the fusion drive train must be successful from a theoretical and experimental perspective before consideration for adaptation to the space environment, many critical aspects such as Earth-based launch, space-based assembly, space materials science, safe flight operations, and mission success need to be introduced early in the design phase. More importantly, now that these fusion propulsion concepts are starting to look both feasible and attractive, the transition to space and the inherent aerospace application development need considerable focus. Toward this consideration, we now begin with a background on plasma physics that includes fusion efficiencies and confinement schemes for aneutronic fusion, which leads us to the application to the propulsion concept discussions that follow. 2 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
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Chapter 2: Fusion Plasma Physics
At the most basic level, nuclear fusion occurs by forcing atomic nuclei close enough so
that the attractive strong force (which binds nuclei together) overwhelms the very
powerful electromagnetic repulsion force. Under such circumstances the nuclei fuse
together to form a single nucleus, creating an atom of a different element (along with
byproducts such as radiation and neutrons). Because the strong force dominates over
such short-length scales (~10⁻¹⁵ meter, the diameter of a medium-sized nucleus), the
fusion of heavier nuclei are inherently more unstable, with smaller binding energies. For
light nuclei, the binding energies of the individual nuclei are significantly smaller than
that of the fused nucleus; it is the released energy of the fusion process (in the form of
high-energy photons or kinetic energy of nuclear products such as neutrons) that is
sought as an energy source. Table 1 shows Fusion reactions including the relevant
aneutronic fusion reactions.
Table 1: Principal Fusion Reactions
Main controlled fusion fuels E (MeV)
D + T → α + n 17.59
⎧ T + p 4.04
D + D → ⎨ ³He + n 3.27
⎩ α + γ 23.85
T + T → α + 2n 11.33
Advanced fusion fuels
D + ³He → α + p 18.35
p + ²Li → α + ³He 4.02
p + ⁷Li → 2α 17.35
p + ¹¹B → 3α 8.68
To fuse a sufficient number of nuclei within a span of time for practical use, it is
generally necessary to heat an ensemble of atoms to the very high energies shown in
Table 1. These energies (temperatures) are high enough that electrons are stripped
from their associated nuclei, producing a plasma of free electrons and ions. The fusion
reaction cross sections (σ), the probability of interaction for these reactions in barns =
10⁻²⁸ m², is shown in Figure 1. For the maximum reaction rate temperature, the ratio of
the total amount of energy (kinetic plus radiation) released in the fusion reaction
relative to the bremsstrahlung radiation released is shown in Table 2.
3
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[FIGURE: Graph titled "Figure 1. Fusion Reaction Cross Sections vs. Temperature" showing fusion cross section (barns) on y-axis from 10⁻⁵ to 10², and Centre-of-mass kinetic energy (keV) on x-axis from 1 to 10,000. Curves shown for DT, D³He, DD, p¹¹B, Li³He, TT, T³He, D³He]
Table 2: Fusion Peak Interaction Temperatures and Fusion Energy to X-rays
fuel Tj (keV) Pfusion/PBremsstrahlung
½D-½T 50 140
½D-½D 500 2.8
½D-½He 100 5.3
³He-³He 1000 0.72
p-⁶Li 800 0.21
p-¹¹B 300 0.57
If the ratio is low, it takes more confining energy to sustain the reaction. The largest
fusion output is obtained when the temperature is chosen so that <σv>/T² is a
maximum (known as the Lawson Criteria), which for plasma ignition is achieved when
the fusion reactions produce enough power to maintain the temperature without
external heating. This is shown in Table 3 for the most relevant neutronic and
aneutronic fusion fuels. While the ignition temperature is up to a factor of 10 higher for
the aneutronic fusion reactions, the confinement power required for ignition will be one
to two orders of magnitude greater. This will therefore require some unique
confinement concepts to achieve ignition.
4
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In order to facilitate efficient fusion, it is also necessary to constrain the motions of the
charged particles (i.e., confine the plasma) in an attempt to maximize the likelihood of
ion collisions. Therefore, the net energy produced by the fusion process is more
realistically the released energy minus the energy consumed for plasma heating and
confinement. The fusion energy gain factor, usually expressed with the symbol Q, is the
ratio of fusion power produced in a nuclear fusion reactor to the power required to
maintain the plasma temperature; for the Lawson Criterion, breakeven Q = 1. However,
to provide sufficient energy to convert that power to a useful level, a minimum Q >5 is
needed, and for a power plant to generate electricity the Q should be >30.
For the fusion reactions shown in Table 3, the (D,³He) will produce a few fusion
neutrons which can be minimized by running hot and deuterium-lean; however, the
application may be limited by the availability of ³He. Other reactions to consider will be
the (p,⁶Li) and (p,¹¹B). First, a review the most commonly used plasma confinement
methods is needed.
Table 3: Fusion Ignition Temperatures
fuel T [keV] <σv>·T² [m³·s·keV²]
½D-½T 13.6 1.24·10⁻²⁴
½D-½D 15 1.38·10⁻²⁶
½D-½He 58 2.24·10⁻²⁶
p-⁶Li 66 1.46·10⁻²⁷
p-¹¹B 123 3.01·10⁻²⁷
MAGNETIC CONFINEMENT
Magnetic confinement is an often-used method for constraining the motion of the
plasma "fuel," increasing the efficiency of nuclear collisions and the fusion process. The
plasma is composed of charged particles and is, therefore, affected by electric and
magnetic fields. Charged particles spiral along magnetic field lines with electrons
spiraling faster and in smaller radii and in opposite directions than their heavier ion
counterparts. As the magnetic field increases at the ends of a magnetic mirror, the
charged particles will reverse direction along the field lines and thus become trapped. A
chamber can be designed such that an appropriate magnetic field configuration can be
produced that guides and constrains the motion of the plasma (see Figure 2). The
pressures (thermal, kinetic, magnetic) of the plasma "gas" are balanced by the high
pressure of the imposed magnetic field—the plasma is "contained" by the magnetic field.
One obvious advantage of this approach is that the imposed magnetic field prevents (or
at least delays) much of the plasma (at energies of tens of keV or temperatures of
several hundred millions of degrees Kelvin) from coming into contact with the structural
elements of the chamber. The pressures are typically on the order of one bar, and
depending on the design, confinement times can span a few seconds to minutes.
Although magnetic confinement designs are in principle steady-state systems, their
primary difficulty is maintaining the strong damping of the various modes of plasma
instabilities that arise in these systems.
5
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY [FIGURE: Illustration showing a spherical magnetic confinement device with an inset showing magnetic mirror detail. Caption reads: "pole regions serve as a magnetic mirror or bottle that traps and reflects charged particles – the particles gain energy"] Figure 2. Illustration of Magnetic Mirror Confinement in Vicinity of Jupiter A second, related magnetic method is to join the ends of the solenoid together as a toroid, confining the plasma to a ring. A simple toroidal (i.e., circular) field, however, provides poor confinement because the radial gradient of the magnetic field strength results in plasma drift. A method to reduce drift and produce a stable plasma equilibrium is to superpose a poloidal magnetic field with the toroidal field, thus driving a current through the plasma itself. This provides a path for the plasma moving along the outer edge of the toroid to migrate to the inner edge and vice versa. This is the method used in tokamak systems (shown in Figure 3). Another solution has been to structurally modify the toroid chamber into a figure-eight configuration. This allowed plasma to spend half of the time on the inner portion of the tube, and half of the time on the outer portion of the tube. Such systems are called stellarators. This configuration has eventually evolved back into a (non-axially symmetric) toroidal configuration; rotating the windings in such a manner produces a stable plasma equilibrium while eliminating the need for a toroidal magnetic field. The fundamental issue with these confinement systems is that they require superconducting magnetic coils, pressure vessels, and neutron-energy-absorbing blankets for a 6-meter major radius by 6-meter high plasma, an enormous technological undertaking—and that is just for an ignition demonstration (see Chapter 5). [FIGURE: Two sub-images labeled a) and b) a) Diagram showing Tokamak confinement with labels: Ohmic Heating Field, Toroidal Field Lines, Poloidal Field Lines, Cross section of vacuum vessel b) Photograph of Stellarator confinement device] Figure 3. a) Tokamak and b) Stellarator Confinement UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 6
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY A spheromak is a tokomak in a spherical chamber that uses only a single set of coils in conjunction with plasma currents that self-generate a confining magnetic field. However, this design is thought to be less promising than the previously described technologies for generating significant fusion energy. An FRC (field-reversed configuration) is an elongated plasma ellipsoid conducting an azimuthal current that reverses the direction of an externally applied magnetic field. The resultant field provides toroidal plasma confine- ment without requiring a toroidal vacuum vessel or coil set (shown in Figure 4). It has the potential of achieving much higher stable plasma configurations in much smaller volumes than a tokomak using supplementary laser or neutral beam heating from its ends. The FRC is susceptible, however, to a tilting mode instability where the confined plasma ring can flip over and fly apart as the previously confining forces shift radially outward rather than inward. This can be overcome by magnetic field design. A significant augmentation of power density for this concept is to inject the fuel through the ends with high energy ion or neutral particle beams. Such a system can allow the very high plasma energy density, temperatures, and confinement times needed for aneutronic fusion. [FIGURE: Diagram of Field-Reversed Configuration showing Plasma, Field Reversed Configuration, Separatrix, B=0, ts, rc, Axial Field Coils, Closed Poloidal Field Line, Open Magnetic Field Line] Figure 4. Field-Reversed Configuration INERTIAL CONFINEMENT Inertial confinement fusion (ICF) is a process by which nuclear fusion is initiated by heating and compressing a fuel target. Such targets are usually pellets containing a "fuel" of deuterium and tritium atoms. Typical pellets are about the size of a pinhead, holding ~10 mg of fuel. The process of compressing and heating the pellet is usually accomplished by one of two methods: using high-energy lasers or using particle beams (electrons or ions). The vast majority of ICF devices use lasers. The lasers heat the pellet's outer layer, which explodes this layer outward and produces a reaction force against the remainder of the target. The lasers either impact the pellet simultaneously from multiple symmetrically arranged directions or illuminate the inner wall of a metal cylinder (a hohlraum) containing the pellet (the hohlraum then produces thermal x-rays which impact the pellet). This force accelerates the fuel inward, sending shock waves into the pellet's center. If the shock waves are strong enough, they are able to compress and heat the fuel at the center to such an extent that fusion can occur. The released energy then heats the surrounding fuel, which may also undergo fusion. In comparison with magnetic confinement, ICF results in much higher pressures, but at the expense of a much shorter confinement time. The goal of ICF is to get a sufficient percentage of the fuel to undergo fusion such that more energy is released than is used to produce the reaction. Early attempts, however, have demonstrated that ICF efficiency was much lower than expected. Recent advances in materials technology and techniques have shown that considerable improvements in performance are possible; such a test at the DOE National Ignition Test Facility (NIF) will use 50 TW of laser energy in 192 beams to compress a pellet to achieve ignition. 7 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY The perennial challenge for developing such a device into a power reactor is the feat of manufacturing and compressing 10 such 1-mm DT fuel pellets per second. One significant problem is maintaining equal pressure on the pellets repeatedly to permit energy production. ELECTROSTATIC CONFINEMENT This simple method of confinement is composed of concentric spheres (or sometimes cylinders) acting as anode and cathode in a vacuum known as a Farnsworth-Hirsch Fusor or, more commonly, Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC). As shown in Figure 5, the inner sphere (cathode) is not solid, but rather is composed of a wire grid. Ions entering the vacuum chamber between the anode and cathode are accelerated through a large potential difference toward the cathode. Passing through the cathode, the ions collide in the central region, with a small portion of the plasma population undergoing fusion.¹⁻ ²⁻ ³ However, using this simple setup, it has been argued that net energy production is not viable for anything other than deuterium-tritium fusion, in part because the fusion-collision cross section is several orders of magnitude smaller than the Coulomb-collision cross section.⁴ An additional difficulty is that some of the plasma interacts directly with the cathode, contaminating the plasma with heavy sputtered ions. A method for mitigating this problem is to eliminate the cathode grid and instead use magnetic (and electrostatic) fields to create a virtual cathode composed of electrons. Such devices include the Polywell⁵ and the Penning trap.⁶ One such Penning trap design developed at Los Alamos injects electrons into the central region in such a manner as to produce a harmonic oscillator potential. Called a Periodically Oscillating Plasma Sphere (POPS), ions in this chamber then also undergo harmonic oscillations and can become phase-locked with the use of an externally applied radiofrequency electric field.⁷⁻ ⁸ This allows the ions to reach very high densities and temperatures as they collide at the center of the chamber. This promising design eliminates any power loss due to Coulomb collisions and substantially increases the efficiency of fusion-power generation. [FIGURE: Two images - left shows IEC Fusor diagram with labeled components, right shows POLYWELL confinement configuration photograph] Figure 5. IEC Fusor and Polywell Confinement Configurations 8 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY MAGNETO-INERTIAL CONFINEMENT This method of confinement is an adaptation of the inertial confinement system (ICF) described above, but also uses some of the methods developed for magnetic confinement in an attempt to lower the fusion ignition requirements for implosion velocity and power density.⁹ This concept uses a strong magnetic field within a conducting shell (a magnetic flux conserver). The inertial fusion target plasma lies within the conducting shell. As the shell is imploded, the magnetic intensity increases dramatically, constraining and heating the plasma and facilitating fusion. This concept is being pursued in the United States by the Office of Fusion Energy Sciences of the Department of Energy. Currently there are two classes: High-gain magneto-inertial fusion (MIF) and low-to-intermediate-gain magneto-inertial fusion. High-Gain MIF The heating power directed into a hot spot for fusion ignition must be greater than the rate of heat energy loss, and this implies that a high implosion velocity is needed for high-yield fusion. However, a higher implosion velocity actually lowers the efficiency of fusion, since less of the cold fuel is assembled (the higher velocity increases the breakdown of density barriers or growth rate of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability). As described above, lasers are typically used for direct implosion of the fuel pellet but, to date, this is not very efficient and the cost per unit energy is high. With a magnetized target, however, the implosion velocity need not be so high to initiate fusion ignition, thus lowering the input energy cost without sacrificing efficiency. Low-to-Intermediate MIF For low-yield fusion, electromagnetic pulsed power can be substituted for lasers or particle beams to compress the target. A lower implosion velocity implies that a larger shell can be used, leading to longer burn duration and a much lower density target. It is thought that by using an imposed magnetic field, a solid or liquid shell (liner) and a gaseous target can be used, rather than the usual cryogenic solid fuel pellets. Such is the case for the Magnetized Target Fusion experiment being performed at LANL (shown in Figure 6). A similar pulsed compression of a fusion fuel gas can be achieved without a target by instead using Dense Plasma Focus (DPF) having annular electrodes (shown in Figure 7). In this case a capacitor bank is discharged into the electrodes driving a nanosecond to microsecond pulse that will heat the plasma created to ignition temperatures. This by far is the simplest and least elaborate magnetic confinement concept to achieve aneutronic fusion ignition. 9 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY [FIGURE: Technical diagram showing Magnetized Target Fusion Experiment with labels: Compressed to thermonuclear conditions, Preheated fuel, Liner Implosion System, Plasma Injector] Figure 6. Magnetized Target Fusion Experiment at LANL [FIGURE: Black and white photograph of plasma discharge] Figure 7. Dense Plasma Focus (Lawrenceville Plasma Physics) 10 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Chapter 3: Fusion Propulsion FUSION REACTORS FOR PROPULSION Controlled nuclear fusion reactors have been seriously studied since the late 1960s after tokomaks demonstrated a very promising improvement in temperature and confinement time that had potential to become power-producing reactors. After 15 years, such studies predicted that the size and complexity of a DT (deuterium tritium)- fueled Tokomak would be prohibitively too large to be considered for aerospace applications. However, in the early 1990s when it became clear from large tokomak experimental results that controlled fusion for terrestrial power generation would require an indeterminate time to develop, a surge of interest in fusion-powered propulsion grew. All such studies abandoned the use of DT fusion fuels because of the need for heavy shielding for the 14-MeV neutrons and the requirement for launch safety and the additional complexity of breeding tritium. Only (D,³He) (deuterium helium-3) and (p,¹¹B) (hydrogen boron) fuels have been considered because of the higher specific powers achievable for air and space flight. Field-Reversed Configuration Reactors (U) The seminal study on fusion propulsion that developed specific design parameters was performed in 1993.¹⁰ It reviewed previous studies and used a generic cylindrical fusion plasma model for analyzing the specific power for such a system using (D,³He) fuel (shown in Figure 8). The estimated gross mass of the 968-MW reactor was 112 Mg with a corresponding mass of 999 Mg for a DT-fueled system, (1Mg=1 metric ton). Optimization of this conceptual design using the FRC plasma confinement using colliding beams has led to a much more compact configuration of 33 Mg producing 100 MW (shown in Figure 9).¹¹ This reactor's plasma confinement chamber has a length of 7 meters and diameter of 0.84 meters. Half of the plasma fusion products and unfused fuel is circulated through the magnetic separatrix to a direct converter while the other half is diverted and expelled to provide propulsive thrust. [FIGURE: Graph showing Specific Power (kW/kg) on y-axis (0-12) vs Plasma Temperature (keV) on x-axis (0-200). Three curves shown: D-³He Long-Term (dashed, highest), D-³He Mid-Term (dash-dot, middle), D-T Mid-Term (dashed, lowest)] Figure 8. Specific Power as a Function of Plasma Temperature of Fusion Rocket UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 11
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY [FIGURE: Diagram of Colliding Beam Fusion Reactor showing: Thermoelectric Converter/Shield, Ion Injector #1, Magnetic Separatrix, Plasma Thrust, Direct Energy Converter, Magnetic Field Coils, Ion Injector #2, Magnetic-Field-Reversed Core, Magnetic Nozzle] Figure 9. Colliding Beam Fusion Reactor [Cheung et al. 2004] Dense Plasma Focus Reactors The Dense Plasma Focus (DPF) designs that operate at extremely high plasma pressure because of the intense electrostatic pulse have been evaluated for (p,B¹¹)-fueled propulsion systems. A parametric analysis by Knecht¹² has shown that a system of 16 to 24 Mg can produce 400-900 MW of power with thrusts of 500-1000 kN at Isp of 1,500-2,000 seconds. More detailed analyses of this design indicate that for a 16-Mg system using direct energy conversion coils at the thruster nozzle, (Figure 10) producing an Isp of about 1300 seconds at 800 MW could generate about 1000 kN of thrust.¹³ This system is continuously fueled with H₂ and boron gas, and the electrodes are pulsed at a 10-Hz rate or higher with the >100 keV plasma fusion products and unfused fuel expelled to provide thrust after passing through a direct-energy converter cooled by a separate H₂ coolant that is also expelled in the plasma stream. Magneto- Inertial Confinement Reactors The concept of magnetized target fusion using field-reversed configuration plasmoids has been tested.¹⁴ A high-density compressed plasmoid is formed by a staged axial and radial compression of two colliding/merging FRC plasmas where the energy that is required for the implosion compression and heating of the magnetized target plasmoid is stored in the kinetic energy of the plasmas used to compress it. The confinement properties are expected to achieve ignition for aneutronic fuels and may lead to the smaller reactor mass for propulsion of 20 Mg producing 300 MW (shown in Figure 11). [FIGURE: Schematic diagram showing Hydrogen input, P, E^H components, Focus point, and Magnetic Nozzle] Figure 10. DPF Thruster System with Direct Conversion UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 12
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY [FIGURE: Technical diagram showing Magnetized Target Fusion Reactor with labels: Magnetic Expansion Chamber, BURN CHAMBER (D_ch ~ 5 cm), Fuel Beam Injection, scale markings of 5 m and ~10 m, and 1 m height] Figure 11. Magnetized Target Fusion Reactor AIR PROPULSION The reactor propulsion concepts described in the previous section were limited to space propulsion. The DPF reactor is the lightest concept at 16 Mg (16 metric tons) and could produce 800 MW of power with thrust levels of 1000 kN for space propulsion through ejection of high-energy ions. The application of this fusion reactor for propelling aircraft from ground to hypersonic speeds would be very difficult since converting the 800 MW of power to propellant thrust through a thermodynamically driven gas turbine would provide 15N/MW or 1.53 kg of force per MW, which is only 1,224 kg of thrust for lifting a 16,000 kg vehicle. The thrust per kilogram of reactor weight would have to go up a factor of 50 to 100 in order to lift the reactor and the aircraft it is powering. The assistance of conventional rocket technology plus air-breathing magnetohydrodynamic (MHD)-assisted propulsion to augment aneutronic fusion plasma propulsion has been studied as depicted in Figure 12. In this concept, rocket- and turbine-based combined-cycle air-breathing engines are used for accelerating the vehicle to Mach 14.¹⁵ MHD power generation is used during Mach 7-14 air-breathing flight because it may produce hundreds of megawatts of electrical power for DPF fusion rocket system ignition. The DPF fusion rocket system could then provide additional propulsion, power, and acceleration outside the atmosphere at speeds above the Mach 14 air-breathing MHD threshold. A thrust-vectoring chemical rocket system provides additional thrust and control any time during vehicle flight. [FIGURE: Illustration of aerospace plane with annotations: • A aneutronic fusion power and rocket propulsion from Mach 14 to orbit • 2025 time period • Air-breathing propulsion and MHD power from Mach 7 to Mach 14 • Chemical rocket and air-breathing propulsion from 0 to Mach 7 Propellants: Liquid Hydrogen; Liquid Oxygen (or Liquified Air)] Figure 12. MHD Air-Breathing and Fusion Rocket Aerospace Plane 13 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY ION PROPULSION Ion propulsion is a method by which the principles of electromagnetics are exploited to accelerate an ionized gas in a controlled manner. The forces involved to accelerate the plasma, by Newton's third law, act to propel an object such as a rocket or spacecraft along a given path. The classification of the different plasma propulsion designs is somewhat difficult. Some designs involve electrostatic fields only, some use magnetic fields for ionization purposes but not for ion acceleration, and some designs use both electric and magnetic fields for ion acceleration and thrust. In addition, some designs emit ions from a material anode, while other designs use electric and magnetic fields to ionize a gas by one of several methods, for example, by enhancing collisions or by using radiofrequency (RF) waves, to create a plasma. The different classes of plasma propulsion are described in the following subsections. The use of fusion reactions in an ion propulsion device could significantly enhance the energy of the accelerated ions augmenting the net thrust per watt expended. We will examine the methods of plasma ion propulsion that may benefit from aneutronic fusion. Ion Thrusters Ion thrusters typically emit charged particles from an anode or cathode to create an ion population. This population is then accelerated by an electric (and sometimes magnetic) field to generate thrust. Examples of ion thrusters include gridded electrostatic thrusters, Hall effect thrusters, and field-emission electric propulsion systems: Gridded Electrostatic Thrusters. Gridded electrostatic thrusters were originally derived from a duoplasmatron design (which uses electrons from a cathode filament to ionize an introduced gas). Such designs then accelerate and focus ions into a beam, using an electrostatic potential, with a force equal to the ion mass times the strength of the electric field (Coulomb force). An external (to the plasma chamber) electron gun expels electrons into the exhaust to neutralize the system (to keep the spacecraft from charging up, pulling the ions [exhaust] back toward the spacecraft and lowering efficiency dramatically). These designs are typically low thrust and low specific impulse (Isp). Hall Effect Thruster. Hall thrusters use a magnetic field to trap electrons (which are used to ionize the gas) and use an electric field to accelerate ions to create thrust. The electrons also form a virtual cathode, in place of a physical grid, which is used to accelerate the ions. Lastly, electrons are used to neutralize the exhaust. About 30 percent of the discharge current is an electron current, which does not produce thrust. This limits the energetic efficiency of the Hall effect thruster. This design can produce a specific impulse of ~1,500 seconds and thrusts of several tens of mN up to ~3 N. Field-Emission Electric Propulsion Systems. A field-emission electric propulsion (FEEP) system uses a very strong electric field to cause metal ions to be emitted from a metal tip. These ions are then electrostatically accelerated to provide thrust. An electron gun neutralizes the exhaust. This is typically a very-low-thrust system. PLASMA THRUSTER Plasma thruster designs usually ionize a gas contained within a chamber, which is then accelerated using electric and magnetic forces (Lorentz force). Examples of plasma thruster designs discussed in the following subsections include magnetoplasmadynamic and Lithium Lorentz Force Accelerator (LiLFA) thrusters, electrodeless thrusters, helicon 14 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY double layer designs, and the VASIMR thruster. Such systems typically have larger specific impulses (up to ~10,000 seconds) but have lower thrust per kW expended. Magnetoplasmadynamic Thrusters The magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster uses a gaseous fuel that is ionized in one chamber and then fed into an acceleration chamber. Electric and magnetic fields then propel the plasma through the exhaust chamber. The specific impulse and thrust both increase with power input, while the thrust per kW decreases. Exhaust velocities can reach 110,000 m/s, about 20 times greater than liquid rockets. Electrodeless Plasma Thrusters In this design, the plasma is accelerated by magnetized ponderomotive forces, for which nonuniform static magnetic fields and high-frequency electromagnetic fields are applied. The ponderomotive force accelerates positive ions and electrons in the same direction; thus, no dedicated exhaust neutralizer is needed. Since there are no grids and there is no physical contact between the plasma and electrodes, corrosion and spacecraft contamination issues are minimized. Because of the multiple stages involved, the thruster at constant power can also be varied to deliver either higher specific impulse and/or higher thrust. One form of electrodeless thruster is the Pulsed Inductive Thruster (or PIT). A PIT uses perpendicular electric and magnetic fields to accelerate an ionized gas. Capacitors release an approximately 10-μsec pulse of electric current, which generates a radial magnetic field. A circular electrical field is thus induced in the gas, causing ions to travel in the direction opposite that of the original current pulse. Since this motion is perpendicular to the magnetic field, the ions are then accelerated outward to provide thrust. Helicon Double Layer This design introduces gas into a tube (open at one end), which is then converted into a high-density plasma through the use of a helical antenna. Solenoid coils are also used to confine the created plasma. In the case of the helicon double layer, the plasma is then accelerated to supermagnetosonic speeds by traversing an electric double layer, which is created very close to the open end of the tube by a rapidly expanding magnetic field. The European Space Agency (ESA) has tested this design using argon gas and found that the double layer is stable enough to reliably accelerate ions. ESA is currently pursuing this technology for possible use in future missions. VASIMR Thruster The Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR) is an electromagnetic thruster for spacecraft propulsion. This design is an electrodeless configuration and operates in three stages. The first stage uses RF helicon antennas to transform the gas into a plasma. The second stage uses an ion cyclotron resonance frequency (again in the radio band) to energize the plasma. The third stage uses electromagnets to create a magnetic nozzle, which converts the thermal energy of the plasma into thrust. Magnetic shielding protects all parts of the VASIMR from direct contact with the contained plasma, mitigating corrosion. The method for heating plasma in VASIMR was originally developed as a result of research into nuclear fusion. With the energy used for RF heating and the amount of propellant delivered for plasma generation, VASIMR is 15 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
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capable of either generating low-thrust, high-specific-impulse exhaust or relatively
high-thrust, low-specific-impulse exhaust. The intention of the VASIMR design is to
bridge the gap between high-thrust, low-specific-impulse propulsion systems and low-
thrust, high-specific-impulse systems. AdAstra is currently testing the VX-200 engine (a
200-kW engine). The power distribution is as follows: A helicon discharge uses 30 kWe
(kilowatts, electrical)for ionizing the argon gas using RF waves and uses 170 kWe for
powering the ion cyclotron resonance to heat and accelerate plasma in the second part
of the engine. The specific impulse is optimally ~5,000 seconds, with a specific power
of ~1.5 kg/kW. The mass of the VX-200 engine is estimated at ~300 kg. NASA intends
to test this engine on the International Space Station using a large battery to power it
during the tests.
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Chapter 4: Applications
NEAR SPACE
Although aneutronic fusion thrusters will not be able to achieve liftoff for single-stage
orbit vehicles as discussed in Chapter 3 above Mach 14, they can provide the necessary
thrust to insert an air vehicle into orbit. In fact, any vehicle in orbit could benefit from
such a propulsion device to dip down and maneuver in the atmosphere and return to
orbit with the aid of fusion propulsion as long as it does not slow below Mach 14. This
capability will allow a host of missions that include the following:
• Antisatellite threat avoidance.
• Unpredictable Earth or space target reconnaissance.
• Unpredictable Earth or space target neutralization.
The details of such applications will be the subject of separate studies. Undoubtedly
current propulsion technologies are significantly limited in N/kW in propulsion capability
to perform such missions for long durations. However, they may be sufficient due to the
threats and targets needed to be countered at this time.
EARTH ORBIT
Space thrusters for orbital insertion and station keeping have been using hydrazine
propellant and, more recently for large GEO satellites, arc jet thrusters, which
electrostatically enhance the hydrazine propellant. High-power Hall Current Thrusters
(HCT) that electrostatically accelerate Xe ions have been developed by NASA with
discharge power levels ranging from 6.4 kilowatts to 72.5 kilowatts.16 Such devices
produce thrust ranging from 0.3 to 2.5 Newtons and specific impulses up to 4,500
seconds at 1 kV. More recently, AeroJet together with Lockheed Martin Space Systems
Company have qualified a 4.5-kW Hall Thruster Propulsion System (HTPS) that
demonstrated 244 mN of thrust with a specific impulse of 1,981 seconds incorporating
a 400-volt acceleration potential. These thrusters were flown in 2010 on military
communication and surveillance satellites. Expected enhancements of these HCTs will
provide higher Isp near 3,000 seconds at the expense of significant lower thrust, ~10
mN/kW. Future broadband communication commercial and military satellites of 20- to
50-kW broadcast power will require much more efficient thruster performance in terms
of mN/kW in order to satisfy the operational performance needs of their solar power
systems. This provides the motivation for the development of aneutronic fusion
enhanced ion thrusters.
Such a development has been proposed by transforming a conventional ion thruster
into a spherical form.17 Using the IEC configuration shown in Figure 13, ions are
produced in the gas discharge region through the injection and oscillation of electrons
about a guide grid that is held to a slightly positive potential. The grid extracts ions
from the discharge region and accelerates them toward the center of the device. It is
estimated to provide 35 mN of thrust for 750 watts of input power at 500 volts,
providing an Isp of 3,000 seconds or 45 mN/kW superior to the advanced HCT thrusters.
The addition of a 150-kWe ion beam for heating a (p,11B) plasma close to ignition (Q~
1) using a magnetic guide system to redirect the nearly isotopic velocity distribution of
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the MeV alpha particles for the (p,11B) into a direct thrust would increase the Isp
to >5,000 seconds with thrust levels >5 N/kW.
[FIGURE: Left — photograph of experimental IEC jet thruster device. Right — schematic diagram labeled with: -1 kV, Xenon, Accelerating Grid, Electron Guide, +100 V, Electron Emitters, Insulator, Plasma Jet]
Figure 13. Design of an IEC Jet Thruster - Experimental Device (left)
INTERPLANETARY
Many of the fusion reactor applications described in Chapter 3 have been specifically
applied to space propulsion. The key reason for the benefits of such systems lies in the
fundamentally different nature of fusion propulsion compared to chemical or nuclear-
thermal propulsion. Fusion propulsion systems pay a mass penalty for carrying their
power source. However, a propellant mass savings results from the high thrust per unit
mass that arises from high exhaust velocity that overcomes the power-source mass
penalty. These potential performance enhancements are shown in Figure 14, which
illustrates fusion propulsion's capabilities for fast transport of humans or efficient
transport of cargo between circular solar orbits for Earth-Mars one-way rendezvous
missions.18
In order to achieve the efficient solar system travel shown in Figure 14, propulsion
systems must achieve specific powers of at least 1 kW/kg at exhaust velocities of ~105-
106 m/s, leading to thrust-to-weight ratios of ~10-3. The required range of parameters
and a comparison with chemical and nuclear thermal propulsion options appears in
Figure 15.19 The capability of tuning the exhaust velocity over factors of 10-100 is a
desirable feature that facilitates energy intensive missions. For the same delivered
payload the fraction of the propellant and nonpayload mass is significantly minimized
for fusion propulsion as compared to the other propulsion options.
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[FIGURE: Two bar charts side by side.
Left chart — Y-axis: Trip time (days) 0–1000; X-axis: Earth-Mars (29% payload); bars for Chemical (Isp=450 s), Nuclear thermal (Isp=900 s), Fusion (1 kW/kg), Fusion (10 kW/kg).
Right chart — Y-axis: Payload (incl. structure) fraction 0–1; X-axis: Earth-Mars (258 days); same four propulsion categories.]
Figure 14. Comparison of Fusion, Nuclear-Thermal, and Chemical Propulsion
for Same Payload.
[FIGURE: Log-log graph. Y-axis: Exhaust velocity (m/s) 102–107. X-axis: Thrust-to-weight ratio 10-4–10. Regions labeled: Fusion (10 kW/kg, 1 kW/kg), Nuclear (fission) electric, Gas-core fission, 0.1 kW/kg, 0.01 kW/kg, Nuclear thermal, Chemical.]
Figure 15. Thrust-to-Weight Ratio and Exhaust Velocity Regimes for Various
Long-Range Space Propulsion Options.
INTERSTELLAR
The ability of fusion propulsion to carry payloads or travelers to a habitable star tens of
light-years away will be limited by the amount of fusion fuel it can transport or gather
along its route. A simple calculation of the amount of energy to move a space-shuttle-
sized vehicle (100 Mg) to the nearest star, Alpha Centauri, indicates a minimum
amount of energy in the mass equivalent of 106 kg. However, in 1960 Robert Bussard
proposed the use of magnetic fields to scoop interstellar hydrogen to fuel a fusion
rocket to propel a spacecraft now know as the Bussard Ram Jet (shown in Figure 16).20
Although interstellar hydrogen does not fuse, Bussard proposed the use of the stellar
carbon-nitrogen-oxygen (CNO) cycle in which carbon is used as a catalyst to burn
hydrogen through the strong nuclear reaction. However, the size of the scoops and the
fusion power required to maintain them makes this concept unlikely to be realized.
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[FIGURE: Diagram of the Bussard Ram Jet spacecraft. Labels (left to right): Fusion Exhaust, Fusion Shield Assembly, Compression Assembly, Habitation Section, Igniters, Command Antenna, Power Distribution, Collector Head, Magnetic Torus, Precompressor. Scale bar: 500m.]
Figure 16. Bussard Ram Jet (www.bibsos.com)
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Chapter 5: Recent Developments
U.S. DOE PROGRAMS
The current U.S. Department of Energy fusion program is administered by the Office of
Fusion Energy Sciences (http://www.science.doe.gov/ofes/). The FY2010 budget was
$421 million, with over half devoted to tokomak plasma physics and experimental
facilities at Princeton Plasma Physics Lab, MIT, and General Atomics. The Advanced
Concepts and High-Energy-Density Laboratory Plasma Physics (HEDLPP) programs,
which support plasma confinement theory and experiments for innovative fusion reactor
concepts and fusion propulsion, are funded at ~$20 million. The HEDLPP program
covers the following areas:
• Radiative hydrodynamics.
• Laser-plasma and beam-plasma interaction.
• Fusion burn.
• Materials under extreme conditions.
• Dense plasmas in ultrahigh fields.
• Laboratory astrophysics.
Technology development funding is directed toward tokomak-related reactors with $135
million contributed to ITER. The National Ignition Test Facility is funded by DOE's
National Nuclear Security Administration and is dedicated for nuclear weapons
simulation. The NNSA-funded research also includes Magneto Target Fusion
experiments at Sandia and Lawrence Berkeley National Labs.
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is a joint undertaking of
the European Union, China, India, Japan, Korea, Russia, and the United States. The
goal is to demonstrate deuterium-tritium (DT) fusion ignition in a minimum-sized
tokomak confined plasma. The initial plans were to operate ITER as early as 2002 some
10 years after the planned TFTR and JET experimental results shown in Figure 17.
However, delays in TFTR and JET test results, which augmented the size of the ITER
plasma to 6 meters in major radius and 6 meters in height, had pushed the ITER
operation out to 2020 at a cost of $20 billion. It has since been downscaled in
operating requirements due to the cost and problems associated with tritium fuel and
containment with a 2025 operating date and cost of $25B. The operating time of an
ignition burn will be limited to minutes. These constraints have been imposed due to
the excessive costs for the 200 MW power plant needed to supply the energy to ignite
the tokomak plasma as well as the 36 kg of tritium needed for its initial fueling. In
order to compensate for this a Demonstration Power reactor is planned to follow 5 yrs
later at a substantially higher cost.
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[FIGURE: Left — Log-log graph titled "Progress in Tokomak Magnetic Confinement Fusion." Y-axis: (n)τ_E (10^20 m^-3·keV·s). X-axis: I'A (MA) 0.1–100. Data points include: T3 (ca 1970), START (ca 1998), NSTX (2000) spherical tokomak, PLT (1980), W7-AS (ca 1996) stellarator, ST (ca 1973), ~(IA)^2, LHD (2000) stellarator, H-Mode 'Database 3' 9 tokomaks (1985-98), TFTR DT (1990), JET DT (1998), ITER-EDA (◇), Q_ITER. Burning Plasma Regime indicated. Right — Cross section of present EU D-shape tokamaks compared to the ITER project, showing outlines of ASDEX-U, COMPASS-D, JET, and ITER. X-axis: Major radius (m) 0–8.]
Figure 17. Progress in Tokomak Magnetic Confinement Fusion
The issues of tokomaks as a potential source of fusion power are dramatized by the
recent graphic (Figure 18) published in the American Nuclear Society's Fusion Energy
Division Newsletter (Dec 2007) depicting the GE Next-Generation Boiling-Water Reactor
(Economic Simplified BWR). The reactor, which costs about $3 billion, will produce
enough thermal energy to generate 1.2 GWe (gigawatt electrical), . Its fuel rods will have
to be replaced every 3 years. In an operating fusion tokomak reactor, the first wall and
neutron absorbing and tritium breeding thermal blanket would have to be replaced
every 5 years. Two orders of magnitude more volume and an extremely complex
thermal transport system will be at a considerably greater cost and down time for the
plant. With the recent and predicted escalation of fossil fuel costs, nuclear power has
become economically competitive with coal and oil plants. It is clear that a tokomak
power plant could not compete with the fission plant at current market energy prices.
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[FIGURE: Left — cutaway diagram of ESBWR Vessel (6.4 m ID, 21 m H). Right — cutaway diagram of ITER blanket segment.]
ITER
Figure 18. ITER Design Concept With BWR Size and Blanket Segment
NASA PROGRAMS
From 1995 until 2002, NASA had funded advanced space propulsion studies through
Marshall Space Flight Center. These studies included the application of fusion and
matter-antimatter propulsion for space exploration missions. Recently, NASA has
initiated a 5-year high-power electric propulsion demonstration program to develop the
technologies for manned missions to Mars in a 20-plus-year timeframe. The program
funding may allow initiatives for (p,11B) fusion-assisted propulsion, which may provide
significant gains in thrust and Isp without reductions in thrust per watt expended.
PRIVATELY FUNDED PROGRAMS
There are a number of capital investment startups that have been developing fusion
reactor technology with funding of several million dollars to greater than $50 million
each. All these companies are basing their development on unique concepts or those
described in Chapter 3. Table 4 summarizes these companies. Both Lawrenceville
Plasma Physics (which uses DPF, dense plasma focus, confinement) and TriAlpha
(which uses beam-heated FRC, field reversed configuration) have been shown
conceptually to have low-mass aneutronic fusion propulsion systems that could use
direct conversion for power and plasma ion for propulsion. Their success in the next few
years may accelerate the implementation of aneutronic fusion propulsion.
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Table 4: Advanced Fusion Concept Reactor Companies
COMPANY | CONCEPT | FUEL | FUNDING
Lawrenceville Plasma | Dense Plasma Focus | (p,11B) | Current: $4M
Physics | | | Needed: $4M
Electron Power Systems | Colliding Plasma Tori | DD | Current: $6M
| | | Needed: $8M
General Fusion | Pb-Li spun liquid | DT | Current:$10M
| compression | | Needed: $10M
EMC2 | Polywell Electrodeless IEC | DD, (p,Li), | Current: $11M
| | (p,11B) | Needed:$100M
TriAlpha | Beam-Heated Field | (p,11B) | Current : $50M
| Reversed Conf. | | Needed: $100M
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Chapter 6: Future Developments
NEAR-TERM DEVELOPMENTS
Near-term developments of fusion propulsion will include the timeframe from 2010 to
2020. It will leverage the privately funded developments in DPF, FRC, and IEC for
commercial fusion reactors, as well as the DOE developments of magneto-inertial fusion,
including magnetized target fusion and high-density plasma physics experiments.
During this timeframe, it is expected that one or more of these fusion concepts will
develop sufficient experimental data or even achieve sustained ignition breakthroughs
that will allow the technology push to proceed into aerospace propulsion applications.
The IEC thruster described in Chapter 4 is a near-term candidate to replace HCTs with
high Isp and thrust augmented by aneutronic fusion. At the same time, associated
technology development from the mainline DOE programs and ITER tokomak programs
will contribute to the import areas of the following:
• Super conducting magnets.
• Energy storage supercapacitors.
• Fuel storage systems.
• Fuel ion injection accelerators.
• Compact high-voltage converters.
• Direct ion energy converters.
• Plasma propulsion systems.
Experiments and system analyses to validate the applicability of aneutronic fusion
propulsion should be conducted early on, since they may bias the path taken for the
various reactor and propulsion combinations.
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Table 5: Emerging Technologies
Technology | Application | Supports | Status
High-temperature plasma | Aiding confinement, supporting fusion | ALL | Need lightweight materials to
containers | architecture, surviving sustained reactions / | | withstand the fusion-burning
| lifetime | | environments repeatedly.
Plasma injection schemes | To supply plasma for startup, sustained | ALL | There needs to be an efficient
| reactions, symmetry, energy deposition | | and effective way to get fuel
| | | stored, delivered, and ignited.
Stable magnet | Needed for sufficient confinement times / | CBFR, | Some experiments are in
configurations | ignition densities, minimize instabilities, | IEC, DPF | progress, but designs will
| optimal propulsion profiles | | evolve as limitations are
| | | encountered.
Lightweight high- | Needed for aerospace application, cost effect- | IEC, CBFR | High-temperature ceramics
strength magnets | tive launch and deploy- ment, thermal tolerance, | | still need to be molded to a
| superconductivity at workable temperatures. | | launch and deployment
| | | survivable standard. Much
| | | material science and testing
| | | are needed.
Propulsion nozzles for | Optimizes efficiency of propulsion, supports | ALL | This is the result of current
efficient energy | direct conversion, support viable missions | | studies and is specific to
channeling | | | design limitations and
| | | support.
Lightweight particle | For particle beam injection, energy | IEC, CBFR | Most experiments are
accelerators for | deposition, confinement, and fusion support | | currently ground oriented –
aerospace applications | | | need to transition to flight.
Direct-energy conversion | Needed for high Q and efficient propulsion | ALL | Currently under study for
schemes | schemes | | recovering energy from
| | | charged particle beams,
| | | magnetic fields, thermal
| | | recycling.
High-energy-density | Needed for energy storage and startup | ALL | Application of nano materials
batteries and | operations | | and thin film manufacturing
supercapacitors | | | have accelerated development
Fuel storage systems | Cryogenic H2, D2 and B gas storage | ALL | Development of solid fuel
| | | storage will reduce mass and
| | | costs.
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MID-TERM DEVELOPMENTS
Mid-term developments for the timeframe 2020 to 2030 will include engineering
designs and ground testing of the selected aneutronic reactor concepts that have the
highest probability of success. Universities, national labs, and private companies all
contribute designs. Some will be further along by 2020 than others due to funding,
investments, scientific breakthroughs, or evolutionary modifications. Systems
engineering analysis for aerospace applications must accompany the ground-based
experiments, material science, and physical analysis to achieve a solution that can
transition to viable aerospace engineering prototypes from plasma fusion propulsion
research.
Development of high-temperature superconductors that can be machined into multi-
Tesla capable confinement magnets is a current area of research. Recent advances in
high-temperature superconductors are driven by the sensitivity of semiconductor
quantum interference device (SQUID) circuits, the desire for improvements in MRI,
improved energy storage, transformers and delivery systems for utility companies, and
generators and motors for submarines for the Navy.
Here, the materials must not only be compatible with lightweight cryogenics (such as
pulse tube compressors), but they must be less brittle and capable of molding into coil
geometries with material compatibilities across a broad range of temperatures and
stress loads. A suitable substitute for the Nb3SnCu or NbTi in ground-based reactor
designs with lighter weight components for both the superconducting materials and the
above critical temperature conductor substrates must be found. Building a one-of-a-
kind coil geometry large enough to integrate into a plasma fusion engine and able to
survive the local environment will likely be an expensive proposition. In the near term,
although scale models are useful, the physics and densities change with size. Although
this estimate may be optimistic, with concerted efforts by the magnet companies it
should be achievable.
Energy efficiency is paramount to effective propulsion, fuel consumption, and
affordability. Experiments for direct energy conversion might include the following:
• Strategic electrode placement to recover power from unconfined charge particle
emanation.
• Inductive coils for recovery of excess magnetic field energy.
• Channeling of thermal energy to heat exchangers or augmented electric power
generators.
Fusion experiments such as Vlasov modeling, magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) models,
and electrodynamic relaxation models for particle transport, fluid/plasma dynamics,
collision-dominated transport, and fusion cross-section predictions need to be applied.
Figure 19 summarizes all of these proposed development paths.
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[FIGURE: Diagram titled "Experiments To Prove a Plasma Fusion Propulsion Concept."
Top left label: HTS Technology. Top right label: Energy Recovery.
Top left annotation: High Temperature Superconductor research needs to be scaled up and made to withstand the fusion environment.
Top right annotation: Alpha particle production needs to be recycled via beam direct conversion with electron escape or redirected back into reactor for maximum thrust.
Central diagram shows: H Beam, Conducting Wall, Rotating Plasma, External Current, Reaction Products, 4He (multiple), Physical Modeling, Magnetic Field 1 He, Plasma Current, H Beam.
Bottom left annotation: The magnetic field separatrix must be shaped for optimal confinement, minimal leakage and maximum stability.
Bottom right annotation: Plasma rings must be made stable and achieve the right mix of density and temperature for sustained fusion and power recycling.
Bottom left image: photograph of plasma physics experiment. Bottom right image: photograph of plasma physics experiment.]
Figure 19. Experiments To Prove a Plasma Fusion Propulsion Concept
FAR-TERM DEVELOPMENT
In the far term timeframe from 2030 to 2050, design integration of the optimized
aneutronic fusion reactors and propulsion systems into aeronautical platforms must be
conducted followed by prototype flight tests. Although it is difficult at this point to say
which technology will ultimately transition to application, ultimately, industrial
collaboration will be necessary to bring forth the propulsion system experience with the
fusion plasma physics and sustained ignition engineering and the right mix of material
science. The platforms will be launched from the ground, air, or space depending on
ease of design integration, availability of secondary boosting technology, and ultimate
funding limitations.
A roadmap to the development of aneutronic fusion propulsion is shown in Figure
20. The journey begins with a series of experiments specifically designed to address the
functionality and practicality of fusion propulsion concepts. These experiments should
consist of magnetic field plasma interactions, quenching of induced instabilities, and
supplemental analysis to indicate feasibility for basic energy transport and sustainment.
After the physics has been demonstrated with numerous field plasma interaction and
confinement experiments, the focus can then be more on practical considerations.
Although this transition is certainly not abrupt, a set of success criteria including plasma
beta greater than unity, successful ignition, sustained ignition, power balance (at least
theoretical), and basic concept designs should be well established.
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[FIGURE: Timeline chart — Roadmap to Aneutronic Fusion Propulsion Development.
Rows (top to bottom): PHYSICS DEMO [bar], Tech Development [bar], Ground DEMO [bar], FLIGHT DEMO [bar], MANNED MISSION [bar with redacted end].
X-axis: 2000, 2010, 2020, 2030, 2040, 2050, 2060.]
Figure 20. Roadmap to Aneutronic Fusion Propulsion Development
Design trades and evaluation can then ensue with confinement vessel design (including
fuel supply and introduction), basic exhaust control modeling for regulation and
maximum efficiency, crew and equipment safety concepts, effective launch and
deployment concepts, and complete end-to-end power train and energy recovery
concept implementation.
Ground demonstrations have been conducted during all of the previous phases, but a
complete end-to-end demonstration of the working concept is necessary before
deployment. This demonstration is the culmination of the design physics and
engineering models with a complete simulation from launch, execution, and return to
Earth.
The estimated date for a manned mission is contingent upon the successful execution of
the prior technology phases and again, success depends upon thorough execution,
complete analysis, proven concepts, engineering models, and significant and careful
investment strategies.
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Chapter 7: Conclusions
Much of the groundwork (literally) for aneutronic fusion propulsion has been
accomplished, including conducting fusion experiments, development of design
concepts, and the analysis of applications to aerospace propulsion. Transitioning these
concepts to space is an immense challenge given the large mass, power requirements,
and support engineering for power conversion, energy recovery, and fuel storage. This
transition, however, may depend upon the success of the developments of privately
funded ventures attempting to develop terrestrial power. Notwithstanding such
developments, their application for both military and space or near-space applications
requires a much lower threshold for return on investment than terrestrial power.
Pulsed-powered DPF or IEC aneutronic fusion thrusters may have near-term
applications to replace current satellite ion thrusters. This could be extended to the very
high-power domain of beam-assisted FRC for manned interplanetary flight. The near-
space domain will require major improvements in technology to reduce system mass
since the size enters the MW range. The application to the aircraft domain will require
further developments in technology to reduce system mass and/or the use of DT fuels,
which present other potential safety issues. Aneutronic fusion propulsion will not be
practical beyond the solar system unless breakthrough propulsion physics is developed
that can assist the flight to the next stellar system where fusion thrusters can then be
used.
Whether it is reducing rows and rows of capacitor banks to pulse generators, shrinking
immense superconducting magnets to a more compact and lightweight geometry, or
engineering integrated fusion propulsion systems to fit onto a booster rocket, the
physicists who pioneered much of the reactor and propulsion technology must now
work side-by-side with the space systems companies to explore viable propulsion
systems from implementation to on-orbit maintenance and attitude control. The future
needs to be focused more on science and engineering and less on science fiction.
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Chapter 8: Endnotes
1 Elmore, W.C., J.L. Tuck, and K.M. Watson, "On the inertial-electrostatic confinement of a plasma," Phys. Fluids, 2, 239, 1959.
2 Farnsworth, P.T., "Electric Discharge Device for Producing Interactions Between Nuclei, U.S. Patent No. 3,358,402, issued June 28, 1966, initially filed May 5, 1956, reviewed Oct. 18, 1960, filed Jan. 11, 1962.
3 Hirsch, R.L., Experimental studies of a deep, negative, electrostatic potential well in spherical geometry," Phys. Fluids, 11, 2486, 1968.
4 Rider, T.H., "A general critique of inertial-electrostatic confinement fusion systems," Phys. Plasmas 2 (6), 1853, 1995.
5 Bussard, R.W., "Some physics considerations of magnetic inertial-electrostatic confinement: A new concept for spherical converging-flow fusion," Fusion Tech., 19, 273, 1991.
6 Barnes, D.C., R.A. Nebel, and L. Turner, "Production and application of dense Penning trap plasmas," Phys. Fluids, B 5, 3651, 1993.
7 Nebel, R.A. and D.C. Barnes, "The periodically oscillating plasma sphere," Fusion Tech., 38, 28, 1998.
8 Park, J., R.A. Nebel, S. Stange, and S. Krupakar Murali, "Experimental observation of a periodically oscillating plasma sphere in a gridded inertial electrostatic confinement device," Phys. Rev. Lett., doi: 10.1103/Phys. Rev Lett., 95.015003, 2005.
9 Thio, Y.C.F., "Status of the US program in magneto-inertial fusion," J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. 112 042084, doi: 10.1088/1742-6596/112/4/042084, 2008.
10 J.F. Santarius and B.G. Logan, "Generic Magnetic Fusion Rocket Model," Journal of Propulsion and Power 14, 519 (1998); Propulsion and Power 14, 519 (1998);UFDM-914 April 1993 presented at 29th AIAA Joint Propulsion Conf, paper AIAA-93-2029, June28-30, 1993. Monterey, CA
11 F.J. Wessel, M.W. Binderbauer, N. Rostoker, H.U. Rahman, and J.O'Toole, "Colliding Beam Fusion Reactor Space Propulsion System," Space Technology and Applications International Forum--2000 (American Institute of Physics, Albuquerque, NM, 2000), p. 1425.
12 Knecht, S.D., R.H. Thomas, F.B. Mead , G. H. Miley and D. Froning, "Propulsion and Power Density Capabilities of Dense Plasma Focus (DPF) Fusion Systems for Military Aerospace Vehicles", in Proceedings of Space Technology and Applications International Forum (STAIF-006), edited by M. El-Genk, AIP Conference Proceedings, p. 1232-1239.
13 Thomas, R., Yang, Y., Miley, G.H., Mead, F.B.., "Advancements in Dense Plasma Focus for Space Propulsion," in Proceedings of Space Technology and Applications International Forum (STAIF-005), edited by M. El-Genk, AIP Conference Proceedings 746, Melville, New York, 2005 pp. 536-543.
14 J. Slough, R. Milroy, T. Ziemba and S. Woodruff., "Compression, Heating and Fusion of Colliding Plasmoids by a Z-theta Driven Plasma Liner," J. of Fusion Energy 26, 191, (June 2007).
15 H. Froning, "Combining MHD Air breathing and Aneutronic Fusion for Aerospace Plane Power and Propulsion," 14th AIAA/AHI Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference, June 2006.
16 K. DeGrys, B. Welander, J. Dimicco, S. Wenzel, B. Kay, V. Khayms, and J. Paisley "4.5 kW Hall Thruster System Qualification Status," Proc. 41st AIAA/ASME-SAE-ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, July, 2005
17 G. Miley, H. Momota, L. Wu, M. Reilley, V. Teofilo, R. Dell, and R. Hargus, "Space Probe Application of IEC Thrusters," Fusion Science and Technology 56 1, 533-539 July 2009.
18 F. Thio et al., "A Summary of the NASA Fusion Propulsion Workshop 2000", Proc. 37th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference , July 2001.
19 J. Santarius and F. Thio, "Fusion Propulsion: Attractiveness and Issues," Proc. of 31st AIAA Plasmadynamics and Lasers Conference, June 2000.
20 Bussard, R. W., "Galactic Matter and Interstellar Flight," Astronautica Acta, 6, 179-194, 1960.
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