Fusion: The Energy of the Universe
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Table of contents
- Cover
- Contentsix
- Forewordxv
- Prefacexvii
- Acknowledgmentsxix
- Chapter 1 What Is Nuclear Fusion?1
- 1.1 The Alchemists’ Dream1
- 1.2 The Sun’s Energy2
- 1.3 CanWe Use Fusion Energy?3
- 1.4 Man-Made Suns3
- 1.5 The Rest of the Story4
- Chapter 2 Energy from Mass7
- 2.1 Einstein’s Theory7
- 2.2 Building Blocks8
- 2.3 Something Missing12
- Chapter 3 Fusion in the Sun and Stars17
- 3.1 The Source of the Sun’s Energy17
- 3.2 The Solar Furnace19
- 3.3 Gravitational Confinement20
- 3.4 The Formation of Heavier Atoms24
- 3.5 Stars and Supernovae26
- Chapter 4 Man-Made Fusion33
- 4.1 Down to Earth33
- 4.2 Getting It Together36
- 4.3 Breaking Even41
- Chapter 5 Magnetic Confinement47
- 5.1 The First Experiments47
- 5.2 Behind Closed Doors52
- 5.3 Opening the Doors55
- 5.4 ZETA58
- 5.5 From Geneva to Novosibirsk59
- Chapter 6 The Hydrogen Bomb61
- 6.1 The Background61
- 6.2 The Problems63
- 6.3 Beyond the SloykaŽ66
- Chapter 7 Inertial-Confinement Fusion69
- 7.1 Mini-Explosions69
- 7.2 Using Lasers72
- 7.3 Alternative Drivers81
- 7.4 The Future Program86
- Chapter 8 False Trails87
- 8.1 Fusion in a Test Tube?87
- 8.2 Bubble Fusion91
- 8.3 Fusion with Mesons92
- Chapter 9 Tokamaks95
- 9.1 The Basics95
- 9.2 Instabilities96
- 9.3 Diagnosing the Plasma100
- 9.4 Impurities102
- 9.5 Heating the Plasma106
- Chapter 10 From T3 to ITER111
- 10.1 The Big Tokamaks111
- 10.2 Pushing to Peak Performance115
- 10.3 Tritium Operation118
- 10.4 Scaling to a Power Plant119
- 10.5 The Next Step123
- 10.6 ITER125
- Chapter 11 Fusion Power Plants129
- 11.1 Early Plans129
- 11.2 Fusion Power Plant Geometry129
- 11.3 Magnetic-Confinement Fusion131
- 11.4 Inertial-Confinement Fusion133
- 11.5 Tritium Breeding137
- 11.6 Radiation Damage and Shielding138
- 11.7 Low-Activation Materials141
- Chapter 12 Why We Need Fusion Energy145
- 12.1 World Energy Needs145
- 12.2 The Choice of Fuels146
- 12.3 The Environmental Impact of Fusion Energy150
- 12.4 The Cost of Fusion Energy152
- Epilogue155
- Units157
- Glossary161
- Further Reading177
- Index181
Unraveling the role of fusion in the universe has taken almost a century since Einstein's proof of the equivalence of energy and matter in 1905. The discovery that fusion reactions are responsible for the building of the light elements in the "Big Bang" and the subsequent development of the heavier elements in the stars and in exploding supernovae is one of the field's most exciting successes.
In this engaging book, McCracken and Stott reexamine these discoveries in astrophysics and discuss the possibility that fusion reactions are not only our sun's source of power, but may also be induced for our use on earth.
* Details the initial discovery of nuclear fusion, all related research, and today's concern over future energy supply
* Examines current attempts to create nuclear fusion here on earth
* Enhanced with color illustrations and examples
* Provides a non-technical treatment of fusion using straightforward language
* Includes technical notes for aspiring physicists
In this engaging book, McCracken and Stott reexamine these discoveries in astrophysics and discuss the possibility that fusion reactions are not only our sun's source of power, but may also be induced for our use on earth.
* Details the initial discovery of nuclear fusion, all related research, and today's concern over future energy supply
* Examines current attempts to create nuclear fusion here on earth
* Enhanced with color illustrations and examples
* Provides a non-technical treatment of fusion using straightforward language
* Includes technical notes for aspiring physicists