Fusion chain reactions –II

The role of chain carriers in fusion reaction kinetics

“…does not, in a magnetic-confinement context, satisfy this condition because neither the neutrons, N, nor the alpha particles, 4 He, can react among themselves or with D or T to sustain a chain process. However, in the case of inertial confinement for which the pellet possesses a suitable composition of Li and D nuclei, a closed chain can, in principle, be formulated as follows:…”

“…Our intent here is to assess the role of chain carriers in fusion reaction processes and subsequently characterize the possible reaction tendencies which could lead to temporal variations of the fusion chain carrier. A considerable number of fusion reactions and fusion reaction channels [2] have already been shown by McNally [3][4][5][6] to harbour chain-like components. Though, in general, this does involve advanced fusion fuels, the associated more difficult plasma conditions do not, by themselves, provide any intrinsic reasons for their exclusion in fusion-energy systems analysis [3][4][5][6][7][8].…”

“…A considerable number of fusion reactions and fusion reaction channels [2] have already been shown by McNally [3][4][5][6] to harbour chain-like components. Though, in general, this does involve advanced fusion fuels, the associated more difficult plasma conditions do not, by themselves, provide any intrinsic reasons for their exclusion in fusion-energy systems analysis [3][4][5][6][7][8].…”

“…The closed fusion chain initiated by P- 6 Li fusion has been suggested by McNally [3] and recently examined in greater detail [8]. It can be represented in the form P + L i -• "He + "He L i + "He ~v p + Li + "He -• p + with the proton, P, as the chain carrier and other reactions involving the fusion products 3 He and 4 He. In this equation, we have introduced two important features by a particular symbol notation.…”

“…In this equation, we have introduced two important features by a particular symbol notation. First, the 6 Li( 3 He, 2 4 He) P fusion process can proceed via several different channels 6 L i He P + 2 He P + 4 He° + 4 He…”