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Fusion energy: Progress, partnerships, and the path to deployment
Over the past decade, fusion energy has moved decisively from scientific aspiration toward a credible pathway to a new energy technology. Thanks to long-term federal support, we have significantly advanced our fundamental understanding of plasma physics—the behavior of the superheated gases at the heart of fusion devices. This knowledge will enable the creation and control of fusion fuel under conditions required for future power plants. Our progress is exemplified by breakthroughs at the National Ignition Facility and the Joint European Torus.
Vittorio Violante, Amalia Torre, Giovanna Selvaggi, George H. Miley
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 39 | Number 2 | March 2001 | Pages 266-281
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/FST01-A168
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A three-dimensional analysis of the dynamics of hydrogen isotopes confined within a metal lattice, like palladium or nickel, is presented. It is assumed that the concentration of the hydrogen isotopes, as an atomic fraction, is close to unity and that coherent oscillations of the metal atom electrons near to the Fermi level take place. Coherent oscillations of the Fermi-level electrons in the metal lattice can produce an oscillating electric field within the cell and hence produce a radio-frequency oscillation of ions like protons or deuterons. The trajectories of the ions can be studied by means of the equations of motion. The results show that under proper initial conditions, the closest distance of approach between two ions or between an ion and the nucleus of an atom of the host metal lattice can be reduced below 0.1 Å. An evaluation of the excess of heat production has been done for the D-D reaction within a Pd lattice by approximating the reaction both to an s-wave and a d-wave process, respectively. Last, the effect of the lattice field, which causes the collisions between ions, on the nuclear reaction channel for the D-D reaction is investigated by evaluating the transition probability for a stimulated decay.