jrvz wrote:
High energy particles are deflected by magnetic fields, but in the process they emit synchrontron radiation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchrotron_radiation. These are X or gamma rays, primarily forward along the particle's original path (like headlights). Maybe the resulting radiation dose is too small to require shielding, but I'm surprised the article doesn't even mention it.
Even with energy shields it seems that the hull of the ship (or at least the hab module) will require some passive shielding. My thought was a thin layer of lead backed by boron. It's the only way to be sure
The heavy shielding of the storm shelter would be for shield failure during an SPE etc...
... locked-room mystery... power failure in close orbit around Jupiter... the storm shelter will protect you from the Jovian radiation belts... but how do you get out long enough to make repairs and leave orbit?
jrvz wrote:
High energy particles are deflected by magnetic fields, but in the process they emit synchrontron radiation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchrotron_radiation. These are X or gamma rays, primarily forward along the particle's original path (like headlights). Maybe the resulting radiation dose is too small to require shielding, but I'm surprised the article doesn't even mention it.
Even with energy shields it seems that the hull of the ship (or at least the hab module) will require some passive shielding. My thought was a thin layer of lead backed by boron. It's the only way to be sure
The heavy shielding of the storm shelter would be for shield failure during an SPE etc...
... locked-room mystery... power failure in close orbit around Jupiter... the storm shelter will protect you from the Jovian radiation belts... but how do you get out long enough to make repairs and leave orbit?
The short straw system.
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zapkitty wrote:
... locked-room mystery... power failure in close orbit around Jupiter... the storm shelter will protect you from the Jovian radiation belts... but how do you get out long enough to make repairs and leave orbit?
jrvz wrote:
... locked-room mystery... power failure in close orbit around Jupiter... the storm shelter will protect you from the Jovian radiation belts... but how do you get out long enough to make repairs and leave orbit?
In all three cases, Ti exceeds 40 keV, and in the best shot it exceeds 65 keV. [...]
For comparison, ion energies of around 100 keV will be enough to ignite pB11 fuel, given adequate density
Nothing groundbreakingly new, but they do seem to be making progress.
In all three cases, Ti exceeds 40 keV, and in the best shot it exceeds 65 keV. [...]
For comparison, ion energies of around 100 keV will be enough to ignite pB11 fuel, given adequate density
Nothing groundbreakingly new, but they do seem to be making progress.
On track, all information good.
LPP's confirming the Texas A&M scaling experiments on a full-sized machine, which now seems to be duplicating the ion temperatures on a little over half the current.
Peak current is directly related to peak field strength and the high magnetic field effect that is expected to keep bremstrahlung in a range we can live with.
Giorgio wrote:I am still convinced that the Polywell has a more sound physics in respect to LPP hypothesis. Yet I have to take my hat off to the accomplishments and openness of LPP people.
They are burning the ground in their experiments, and if Eric Lerner is right they might beat anyone else to accomplish Fusion.
Yes, this is good. It would be kiss-ass if they were sucessful.
I HOPE you mean "kick-ass"!!
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Interesting. I guess they are on track. Though they will have to replace the electrodes, which will - from what I understand- result in a delay?
Still, it is nice to see frequent updates on their research. It makes it much more tangible. I wished we had that frequent updates from Dr. Nebel and co.
Skipjack wrote:Interesting. I guess they are on track. Though they will have to replace the electrodes, which will - from what I understand- result in a delay?
Still, it is nice to see frequent updates on their research. It makes it much more tangible. I wished we had that frequent updates from Dr. Nebel and co.
AFAIK, the only electrode replacements are those which will be required for different gas mixtures and different energy regimes. The new firing "pins" in the switches are to replace the old standard spark-plugs, which were causing timing problems.
Help Keep the Planet Green! Maximize your CO2 and CH4 Output! Global Warming = More Life. Global Cooling = More Death.
zapkitty wrote:
... locked-room mystery... power failure in close orbit around Jupiter... the storm shelter will protect you from the Jovian radiation belts... but how do you get out long enough to make repairs and leave orbit?
Teleoperated Robots...
Screw that. I'm in Jovian orbit for the view on my 22nd honeymoon. The septuple-redundant AI systems are taking care of all that crap.
Re Focus Fusion -- Lerner's good at fundraising. I don't believe electrode erosion is going to allow sufficient pulses to get anything like a reactor going.
n*kBolt*Te = B**2/(2*mu0) and B^.25 loss scaling? Or not so much? Hopefully we'll know soon...