Feasibility of Net Energy Gain in Kinematic Nuclear Fusion Devices

TL;DR

This paper proposes a new design principle for kinematic nuclear fusion devices that aims to achieve positive net energy gain by efficiently re-capturing energy from elastically scattered ions, overcoming previous obstacles.

Contribution

It introduces a novel device configuration and a design principle focused on energy re-capturing to enable net energy gain in electrostatically accelerated ion fusion devices.

Findings

Estimated positive net energy gain is achievable with the proposed design.

Re-capturing energy from elastically scattered ions is feasible and critical.

The approach addresses Coulomb scattering challenges in fusion energy.

Abstract

A design principle is suggested to overcome obstacles that prevent positive net energy output in nuclear fusion devices based on electrostatically accelerated ions. Since Coulomb scattering cross-section dwarfs that of nuclear fusion, the focus is on re-capturing energy of elastically scattered ions before the energy is lost to heat. Device configuration to achieve efficient energy re-capturing is proposed and a favorable estimate of net energy gain is obtained.