Abstract
The complete polarization of DT fuel would increase the fusion reactivity by 50% in magnetic as well as in inertial confinements. The persistence of polarization in a fusion process could be tested, using a terawatt laser hitting a polarized HD target. The polarized deuterons heated in the plasma induced by the laser can fuse producing a 3He and a neutron in the final state. The angular distribution of the emitted neutrons and the change in the corresponding total Cross Section (CS) can sign the polarization persistence. The polarization of solid H2, D2 or T2 Hydrogen isotopes is very difficult. However, it has been possible to polarize HD, a hetero-molecular form of Hydrogen, by static polarization, at very low temperature and very high field. The radioactivity of DT molecules forbids there high polarization by the static method, therefore one has to develop the Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) by RF transitions. The DNP of HD has been investigated in the past. The magnetic properties of HD and DT molecules are very similar, it is therefore expected that any polarization result obtained with HD could be extrapolated to DT.
Highlights
The polarization of D and T nuclei should increase their reactivity when used as fuel material in fusion processes induced either by magnetic or by inertial confinement
A considerable effort is under way to produce energy using controlled fusion either by magnetic or by inertial confinement
Polarized fusion fuel is of great interest, both to increase the fuel reactivity and to control the direction in which reaction products are emitted
Summary
The polarization of D and T nuclei should increase their reactivity when used as fuel material in fusion processes induced either by magnetic or by inertial confinement. With 100% parallel polarization of D and T , all states would contribute to the fusion, increasing the reactivity by 50%. The polarization determines the direction in which the reaction products are emitted, the neutron having a sin distribution. This can be very useful to reduce damage or activation of costly equipments. The question is to know if the polarization will persist in dense and hot plasmas, as suggested by Kulsrud et al for magnetic [1] and More [2] for inertial confinements
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
