Insulated inertial confinement engine

[pmn1]

<p>What happens to the uranium in this engine? <br /><br /><br />The promising concept that Cassenti and NASA are investigating, magnetically insulated inertial-confinement fusion, employs a unique combination of fission, fusion and antimatter. The concept derives partly from attempts to have high-energy lasers implode targets of deuterium and tritium (D-T -- the heavy hydrogen and heavy-heavy hydrogen used in most fusion studies) to produce power. Kammash suggested replacing the large, fragile lasers with a quick squirt of antimatter. <br /><br />Cassenti described the targets that would be used in such a scheme: only 0.8 inches (2 centimeters) across (less than half the width of a ping-pong ball) and just 0.1 ounce (3.5 grams) in mass. Most of the target is deuterium and tritium, with a hollow core and a small chip of uranium 238 to one side. The D-T pellet is coated with uranium to serve as a neutron reflector, and that is coated with tungsten to help contain the blast just for an instant. <br /><br />In operation, a target is dropped into the combustion chamber and a stream of antiprotons is fired through a pinhole into the core. This triggers fission in the uranium. Neutrons reflect off the uranium shell, and freed electrons form a magnetic field to confine the D-T plasma long enough for a small fusion reaction. </p><p>Full story here</p><p>http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/launches/fusion_rockets_000719.html</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>