Dean's World

Here's a nice little video that graphically illustrates how the magnetic well in the Polywell IEC fusion device forms (there is now proof it does form). The little flashes later in the video represent ions fusing. Here is Bussard's original presentation to Google, which sparked interest in the Polywell concept.

This extremely technical discussion, with lots of scary equations, is apparently the key to whether IEC fusion of one type or another will pan out and usher in a new age of cheap energy abundance, or just waste everyone's time and money on a wild goose chase. It applies to both of the currently proposed IEC fusion machines are (Bussard’s Polywell and the Tri-Alpha colliding beam machine being built by Rostoker/Monckton). It’s from 1998, and is essentially a debate over whether the magnetic field in the Rostoker/Monckton colliding-beam IEC fusion device can reduce the thermalization (the tendency of the system to collapse to thermodynamic equilibrium). (Another issue is discussed as well, but it pertains only to the colliding-beam version.)

Rider’s earlier paper, cited by Nevins, supposedly proves the magnetic field cannot affect the entropy of the system. Rostoker/Monckton claim that Rider and Nevins used the wrong equation to describe the situation in an IEC machine, choosing conditions that don't reflect the reality of these devices. (Bussard has not presented a paper as of yet, though we might get one this year, but apparently makes essentially the same argument.) These are all serious scientists. There is apparently no definitive reference that resolves the difference of opinion. Most likely we’ll have to build the machines to know who’s right.

M. Simon of Power and Control is attempting to design a WB-7 Polywell fusion device, based on Bussard’s “Valencia papers” describing his work and some help from Tom Ligon (who worked with Bussard), that would provide definitive, repeatable, testable proof beyond any doubt. Effort is ongoing in this thread, with notes in this forum as well. Kinda neat, really; it’s a real Army of Davids kind of approach.

Of course, Tri-Alpha just got $40M to build their demo model, so they’ll probably be first past the post if they have a viable path to economical fusion power. But things will get pretty crazy (i.e., billions being thrown around at anyone with pretty PowerPoint slides, a la the 1999 Web bubble) if anyone can prove IEC fusion works, especially with oil staying over $70/bbl. Tri-Alpha has said they see commecial power within 15 years, so presumably that money is going to build a smaller prototype model, which is probably a 1-3 year project. Meanwhile, Bussard has hinted funding for his design may be forthcoming, so it could be a very interesting next few years.