PPPS-2013: Pulsed spherical reactor dynamics in a fissionable gas

Summary form only given. Pulsed gaseous fission reactors can be used to provide a transient source of neutrons for research or for power production. A mixture of gaseous, enriched UF
₆
and He may serve as the fuel and moderator for this design
¹
. By using an external source of energy to produce a shockwave in this gaseous fuel, high density fluid produced by the shockwave can sustain criticality for a brief period of time. When the gaseous fuel is quiescent, the reactor remains subcritical.