MICF: A fusion propulsion system for interstellar missions

A very promising propulsion device that could open up the solar system and beyond to human exploration is the Magnetically Insulated Inertial Confinement Fusion (MICF) system. This scheme combines the favorable aspects of inertial and magnetic fusion into one where physical containment of the hot plasma is provided by a metal shell while its thermal energy is insulated from this wall by a strong, self-generated magnetic field. The fusion nuclear reactions in this device can be triggered by a beam of antiprotons that enters the target through a hole and annihilates on the deuterium-tritium (DT) coated inner wall giving rise to the hot fusion plasma. In addition to thermally insulating the plasma, the magnetic field helps to contain the charged annihilation products and allows them to deposit their energy in the plasma to heat it to thermonuclear temperatures. Preliminary analysis given in this paper shows that an MICF propulsion system is capable of producing specific impulses on the order of 106106 seconds. Such capability makes not only the most distant planet in the solar system, but also the nearest star reachable in a human’s lifetime. It also shows that a robotic mission to 10,000 AU can readily be achieved in less than 50 years. © 2000 American Institute of Physics.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/87638/2/984_1.pd

Antiproton triggered fusion propulsion for interstellar missions

Interstellar precursor missions have been the subject of recent investigations. Current proposals include a thousand and a ten thousand astronomical unit mission, both to be completed in fifty years. These interstellar precursor missions provide a means to develop payload, communication, guidance and propulsion systems that could ultimately send payloads to the stars. The one thousand astronomical unit mission could be completed by improvements in nuclear electric systems, but the ten thousand astronomical unit mission is considerably more difficult. Antiproton triggered fusion propulsion systems provide a means to develop fusion propulsion in the near term. These systems rely on antiprotons to fission a subcritical mass of uranium or plutonium. The energy released in the fission reaction is then used to trigger fusion in a pellet. A 1000 astronomical unit mission can be completed in 50 years with a mass ratio of 1.06, while for a 10,000 astronomical unit mission the ratio is 1.87. A flyby of the nearest star, at 270,000 astronomical units, requires a mass ratio of at least 64. © 1999 American Institute of Physics.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/87460/2/1333_1.pd

Plasma heating by antiproton annihilation in magnetic mirror fusion propulsion

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/77212/1/AIAA-1997-3070-644.pd

A constitutive material model for nonlinear finite element structural analysis using an iterative matrix approach

A unified numerical method for the integration of stiff time dependent constitutive equations is presented. The solution process is directly applied to a constitutive model proposed by Bodner. The theory confronts time dependent inelastic behavior coupled with both isotropic hardening and directional hardening behaviors. Predicted stress-strain responses from this model are compared to experimental data from cyclic tests on uniaxial specimens. An algorithm is developed for the efficient integration of the Bodner flow equation. A comparison is made with the Euler integration method. An analysis of computational time is presented for the three algorithms

Future of Antiproton Triggered Fusion Propulsion

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/76963/1/AIAA-2009-4871-470.pd

Antiproton catalyzed fusion propulsion for interplanetary missions

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/77308/1/AIAA-1996-3068-986.pd

Search for Effects of an Electrostatic Potential on Clocks in the Frame of Reference of a Charged Particle

Results of experiments to confirm a theory that links classical electromagnetism with the geometry of spacetime are described. The theory, based on the introduction of a Torsion tensor into Einstein s equations and following the approach of Schroedinger, predicts effects on clocks attached to charged particles, subject to intense electric fields, analogous to the effects on clocks in a gravitational field. We show that in order to interpret this theory, one must re-interpret all clock changes, both gravitational and electromagnetic, as arising from changes in potential energy and not merely potential. The clock is provided naturally by proton spins in hydrogen atoms subject to Nuclear Magnetic Resonance trials. No frequency change of clocks was observed to a resolution of 6310(exp -9). A new "Clock Principle" was postulated to explain the null result. There are two possible implications of the experiments: (a) The Clock Principle is invalid and, in fact, no metric theory incorporating electromagnetism is possible; (b) The Clock Principle is valid and it follows that a negative rest mass cannot exist

An antiproton‐driven magnetically insulated inertial fusion propulsion system

The magnetically Insulated Inertial Confinement Fusion (MICF) reactor, in its initial conception, concepts of a target in the form of a metal shell whose inner surface is coated with a fusion fuel which is ignited by an incident laser beam that enters the pellet through a hole. A very strong magnetic field, generated when the surface is ablated by the incident laser beam, provides thermal insulation of the wall from the hot plasma, and allows the plasma to burn longer thereby generating a larger energy amplification. When ejected through a magnetic nozzle the plasma can provide a very large specific impulse if MICF is utilized as a propulsion device. For application to space travel, however, the mass of the laser and associated power supply may prove to be prohibitively large and another driver should be considered in its place. In this paper we examine the potential use of antimatter annihilation reactions along with a fissionable component to generate the energy needed to initiate the fusion reactions. We find that a modest amount of antiprotons impinging on a tiny fissioning ‘‘spark’’ can ignite the pellet and produce specific impulses in excess a hundred thousand seconds. © 1995 American Institute of PhysicsPeer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/87469/2/567_1.pd

AN ANTIPROTON CATALXZED MERTIAL FUSION PROPUTSION SYSTEM

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/76384/1/AIAA-1994-3354-463.pd

From Laser Pulse Propulsion to Fusion Pulse Propulsion: An Evolutionary Approach

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/140541/1/6.2015-3858.pd