A possibility of miniaturized fusion and fission hybrid reaction core with positive fusion yield

Abstract

A novel fission–fusion hybrid reactor was proposed, comprising saturating of a fissile actinide core with a mix of deuterium–tritium hydrogen isotopes (U–D–T target), similarly to Hyperion design. Movement of massive, highly charged and short-range fissile fragments was assumed to produce transfer of energy to deuterons at the distances below collision impact parameter for electrons, when the latter are already deflected. The overall bulk of energy transfer was still assumed to be directed to electrons, being argued to experience secondary interactions in dense metallic matrix at a short distance (∼3 × 10 −13 m) from the projectile. The resulting energy dissipation occurs as a continuous shockwave front (as opposed to discrete transfer in environments of lesser densities) producing compression ahead of the projectile and impacting local values of density. The continuity at short distances from the projectile justified hydrodynamic analogy and application of Taylor–Sedov's shockwave theory. At higher local densities in a bow-wave, the probability of high-energy deuteron acceleration was shown to increase in proportion to compression. The transient non-equilibrium equivalents of pressure and temperature may support fusion in the region with volume V over hot zone life-time τ. Both parameters were compared for the U–D–T and benchmark system (accelerator driven deuteron implantation in a non-actinide hydride target) in a dimensionless and hypothesis-free form, canceling the complexities of the mechanism. Based on the dimensionless theoretical prediction, ∼1–2 fusion 14 MeV neutrons per fission are expected to be produced, accompanied by 1–2 photoneutrons and leading to a significantly decreased critical mass. If confirmed experimentally, the proposed system could produce ∼10–20% of its energy output as controlled fusion, be of compact and economical design, environmentally friendly, lead to significant miniaturization of reactor core compatible with high rate of heat exchange. Novel technological applications in robotics, propulsion, sea bed exploration and as a robust energy source were proposed.