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Theory and Experimental Program for p-B11 Fusion with the Dense Plasma Focus

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Abstract

Lawrenceville Plasma Physics Inc. has initiated a 2-year-long experimental project to test the scientific feasibility of achieving controlled fusion using the dense plasma focus (DPF) device with hydrogen-boron (p-B11) fuel. The goals of the experiment are: first, to confirm the achievement of high ion and electron energies observed in previous experiments from 2001; second, to greatly increase the efficiency of energy transfer into the plasmoid where the fusion reactions take place; third, to achieve the high magnetic fields (>1 GG) needed for the quantum magnetic field effect, which will reduce cooling of the plasma by X-ray emission; and finally, to use p-B11 fuel to demonstrate net energy gain. The experiments are being conducted with a newly constructed dense plasma focus in Middlesex, NJ which is expected to generate peak currents in excess of 2 MA. Some preliminary results are reported.

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Acknowledgement

The authors wish to thank John Thompson for his major contributions to the design and construction of FF-1.

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Correspondence to Eric J. Lerner.

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Lerner, E.J., Krupakar Murali, S. & Haboub, A. Theory and Experimental Program for p-B11 Fusion with the Dense Plasma Focus. J Fusion Energ 30, 367–376 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10894-011-9385-4

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