Energy from Nuclear Fusion / Richard A. Dunlap.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Dunlap, R. A., author.

Series:

IOP expanding physics.

IOP Ebooks Series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Nuclear energy.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (284 pages)

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Bristol, England : IOP Publishing, [2021]

Summary:

Building on a scientifically-grounded account of the physics, Prof. Dunlap's book explores a range of issues relevant to nuclear fusion and its role in solving the energy problem. Energy from Nuclear Fusion bridges the gap between descriptive texts and those intended for specialists, providing an accessible reference for anyone interested in nuclear fusion as a carbon-free energy solution.

Contents:

Intro

Preface

Author biography

Richard A Dunlap

Chapter 1 Energy for the future

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Current world energy use

1.3 Future energy needs

1.4 Fossil fuel resources

Reserves-to-production ratios

The Hubbert model

1.5 Environmental aspects of fossil fuel use

Greenhouse gas emissions

Global warming

Glacial extent

Polar ice masses

Sea ice extent anomaly

Sea level rise

1.6 Future energy sources I-renewable energy

Solar energy

Wind energy

Hydroelectric energy

Geothermal energy

Biofuels

1.7 Future energy sources II-nuclear energy

Nuclear fission energy

Nuclear fusion energy

1.8 Analysis of future energy options

Energy form

Longevity

Available power

Consistency of power

Cost

Environmental impact and risk

Summary of future energy options

References and suggestions for further reading

Chapter 2 Energy from the nucleus

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Nuclear composition

2.3 Nuclear binding energy

2.4 Energy from nuclear fission

Thermal neutron reactors

Fast breeder reactors

2.5 Energy from nuclear fusion

Fusion reactions for power reactors

Chapter 3 The early history of nuclear fusion

3.1 Introduction

3.2 An historical overview of solar properties

The mass of the Sun

The composition of the Sun

3.3 Darwin's dilemma

The age of the Earth

The age of the Sun

3.4 Early developments in nuclear physics

Radioactive decay

Einstein's mass-energy relation

Aston's nuclear mass measurements

Development of quantum theory

Early nuclear theories

Discovery of the neutron

Beta decay

3.5 Stellar fusion processes

3.6 Laboratory fusion

The discovery of laboratory fusion

Early concepts in controlled nuclear fusion.

3.7 Thermonuclear weapons

Chapter 4 Magnetic confinement fusion

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Achieving fusion conditions

Ignition

The Lawson criterion

Breakeven

The triple product

Reactor energy gain

4.3 Some basic plasma physics

General characteristics of plasmas

Plasma properties

Classification of plasmas

Magnetized plasmas

4.4 Tokamaks

Early history of the tokamak

Basic physics of the tokamak

Tokamak technology

Some notable tokamaks

4.5 Stellarators

Basics of stellarators

Recent stellarator experiments

4.6 Future directions for magnetic confinement fusion

Summary of progress in magnetic confinement fusion

Moore's law

DEMO and PROTO

Chapter 5 Inertial confinement fusion

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Lasers

History of the laser

The physics of lasers

CO2 lasers

Nd-glass lasers

KrF lasers

Harmonic generation

5.3 The physics of laser fusion

Basic principles of laser fusion

Instabilities

Direct drive

Indirect drive

Fusion criteria

Advanced ignition schemes

5.4 Overview of some CO2 laser fusion experiments

Helios

Antares

5.5 Overview of some Nd laser fusion experiments

Nd-based laser experiments at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Nd-based laser experiments at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE)

Laser Mégajoule

5.6 Overview of some KrF laser fusion experiments

Nike

Electra

5.7 Future directions in inertial confinement fusion research

Progress in laser fusion

Future approaches for laser fusion

Chapter 6 Other approaches to fusion

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Electrostatic confinement

The fusor

The polywell

6.3 Accelerator based fusion.

Beam-target fusion

Beam-beam fusion

Muon-catalyzed fusion

Heavy ion drivers

6.4 Hybrid fusion-fission

6.5 Some new approaches to magnetic confinement

Magneto-inertial fusion

Field reversed configuration

6.6 z-Pinch machines

6.7 Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion (MagLIF)

6.8 Cold fusion

The Fleischmann-Pons experiment

Ongoing cold fusion experiments

6.9 Sonofusion

6.10 The energy catalyzer

6.11 Summary

Chapter 7 Is fusion useful?

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Electricity generation

Thermal generation

Direct energy conversion

7.3 Environmental and safety considerations

Reactor safety considerations

Radioactive waste

Neutron activation

Radiation damage

Cooling requirements

Security considerations

7.4 Fusion resources

d-t Fusion resources

d-d Fusion resources

Resources for other fusion reactions

Helium resources

7.5 Economic factors

7.6 Scientific and technical challenges of fusion energy

Magnetic confinement fusion

Inertial confinement fusion

Other fusion approaches

7.7 The future of nuclear fusion energy

References and suggestions for further reading.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Description based on print version record.

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

0-7503-4582-9