Fundamental limitations on plasma systems not in thermodynamic equilibrium

The recirculating power for fusion reactors has previously been calculated and published(Todd H. Rider phPhys. Plasmas) 4, 1039, (1997); also 1998 APS/DPP General Meeting, invited paper R8M3-7, New Orleans Nov. 19, (1998). for many types of reactors and fuels. The calculations are generic. They involve assuming distribution functions of the form [ f(v)= nK . exp[-(v-v_0)^2v_t^2]+exp[-(v+v_0)^2v_t^2]. and determining from the Fokker-Planck equation the power P_c required to maintain f(v). Here v=√v_x^2+v_y^2+v_z^2 n, K, v₀ and v_t are adjustable parameters. For example results were given for p-B^11 of P_cP_f=9100, 350, 52, and 33 depending on the choice of the parameters. P_f is the fusion power. We have carried out the calculation for a Colliding Beam FusionReactor(N. Rostoker and M. Binderbauer phJ. Plasma Phys.) 56, 451, (1996); also APS/DPP General Meeting invited paper R8M3-4, (1998). with p-B^11 fuel and obtained P_cP_f=0.5. A distribution function like f(v) does not apply to the CBFR, nor to any reactor concept that we are aware of.