Advances towards pB11 Fusion with the Dense Plasma Focus

TL;DR

This paper discusses recent advances in pB11 fusion using dense plasma focus devices, highlighting simulation results that suggest net energy production is possible at relatively low peak currents with high magnetic fields.

Contribution

It introduces new simulation techniques for modeling dense plasma focus devices with pB11 fuel, indicating potential for net energy gain at lower currents.

Findings

Simulations show net energy production possible at 2.3 MA peak current.

High magnetic fields reduce energy loss via bremsstrahlung.

New simulation methods enable comprehensive modeling of DPF with pB11.

Abstract

The prospects for achieving net energy production with pB11 fuel have recently considerably brightened. Studies have shown that the multi-GG field potentially obtainable with modest dense plasma focus devices have the effect of reducing the flow of energy from the ions to the electrons and thus suppressing bremsstrahlung radiation that cools the plasma. We report here on new simulations that indicate that net energy production may be achievable in high-magnetic-field devices at peak currents as low as 2.3 MA. While these simulations only model the dense plasmoid formed in the focus, new simulation techniques can allow a full particle-in-cell simulation of DPF functioning over the wide range of time and space scales needed. Such simulations will be of great value in the next round of experiments that will use pB11 fuel.