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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.
Akito Takahashi, Katsuhiko Maruta, Kentaro Ochiai, Hiroyuki Miyamaru, Toshiyuki Iida
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 34 | Number 3 | November 1998 | Pages 256-272
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/FST98-A70
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Anomalous enhancement of three-body deuteron fusion reactions was observed by low-energy D+ ion beam implantation experiment with titanium-deuteride (TiDx: x = 1.4) using a E-E charged-particle spectrometer. The enhancement ratio was ~1026, compared with the traditional theory estimation for a beam/target interaction of the random nuclear reaction process. Two characteristic charged particles of 4.75-MeV helium (3He) and 4.75-MeV triton from the reaction channel of 3D → t + 3He + 9.5 MeV were identified by the analysis of measured one- and two-dimensional spectral data. An experimentally obtained 3D fusion rate was on the order of 102 fusion/s, which is a surprisingly large value. Strong enhancement of 4D fusion was also indicated by higher-energy alpha-particle spectra.A possible explanation is given by the hypothesis of simultaneous multibody fusion induced with the coherent dynamic motion of three to four deuterons and many electrons around special focal points in a metal-deuteride lattice. The observed enormous enhancement of the 3D fusion rate suggests the possibility of "nuclear fusion in solid at room temperature," i.e., so-called cold fusion, which may open a new physics field between nuclear physics and solid-state physics.