Numerical studies of deuterium-tritium ignition in impact-fusion targets

A numerical one-dimensional solution of the Euler equations for an imploding spherical tungsten shell with internal deuterium-tritium gas is applied to study impact-fusion dynamics with parameters of fusion-reactor relevance. Thermal conduction and radiative energy loss by the plasma are taken into account, as is heating by fusion-generated alpha particles. A variety of target sizes and impact velocities are examined, and scaling laws for fusion yields are deduced which define possible parameters for conceptual commercial impact-fusion power reactors. It is found that shell energies and velocities of about 30 MJ and 110 km/s would be satisfactory. A potential commercial impact-fusion reactor based on such parameters is discussed.<
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