Potentials of fissioning plasmasSuccessful experiments with the nuclear pumping of lasers have demonstrated that in a gaseous medium the kinetic energy of fission fragments can be converted directly into nonequilibrium optical radiation. This confirms the concept that the fissioning medium in a gas-phase nuclear reactor shows an internal structure such as a plasma in near thermal equilibrium varying up to a state of extreme nonequilibrium. During 20 years of research under NASA support major elements of the fissioning plasma reactor were demonstrated in theory and experiment, culminating in a proof-of-principle reactor test conducted at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory. It is concluded that the construction of a gaseous fuel reactor power plant is within the reach of present technology.
Document ID
19790070314
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Thom, K. (NASA Headquarters Washington, DC United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1979
Subject Category
Plasma Physics
Meeting Information
Meeting: International Symposium on Nuclear Induced Plasmas and Nuclear Pumped Lasers, 1st, Orsay