Researchers from the Institute of Modern Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have made significant strides in understanding the p-$^{11}$B fusion reaction, a potential candidate for future fusion energy systems. Their work, led by Hong-Yi Wang and colleagues, offers a refined look at the reaction’s cross-sections, reactivity, and energy balance, providing valuable insights for the energy sector.
The team has developed a high-precision analytical model of the p-$^{11}$B reaction cross-section, covering the 0-10 MeV energy range. This model incorporates recent experimental data, filling gaps in previous measurements and offering a continuous, numerically efficient representation of the reaction. The researchers identified two key resonances in this energy range: one at 0.6 MeV, previously known, and a newly observed resonance around 4.7 MeV. These findings enhance our understanding of the reaction’s behavior under varying energy conditions.
Using their model, the researchers evaluated the thermonuclear reactivity of the p-$^{11}$B reaction. Reactivity is a crucial factor in determining the feasibility of a fusion reaction for energy production. The study also assessed the energy balance by comparing the fusion power density to the electron bremsstrahlung power density. Bremsstrahlung, or braking radiation, is a significant energy loss mechanism in fusion reactions. The researchers found that, contrary to some previous assumptions, p-$^{11}$B fusion is not severely limited by bremsstrahlung constraints when using contemporary cross-section data and self-consistent thermal modeling.
For the energy industry, these findings could have practical applications in the development of future fusion power plants. The p-$^{11}$B reaction has several advantages over other fusion reactions, such as the absence of neutron production, which simplifies reactor design and reduces safety concerns. However, achieving a net energy gain with p-$^{11}$B fusion has proven challenging due to its relatively low reactivity. The insights gained from this study could help overcome these challenges and bring us closer to practical, large-scale fusion energy.
The research was published in the journal Physical Review C, a leading publication in the field of nuclear physics. The study represents a significant step forward in our understanding of the p-$^{11}$B fusion reaction and its potential for energy production. As the world continues to seek clean, sustainable energy sources, fusion power remains a promising option, and research like this brings us closer to making it a reality.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.