A science colleague, who is more familiar with the penetrating radiation found in high energy neutron beams, recently pointed out to me that my interest in the topic of D-T fusion reactions is more focused on the associated plasma physics issues than on the nuclear physics involved. Since my personal background falls into the realm of plasma physics rather than in nuclear physics, I took his observation to heart.
What are the potential damaging effects of high energy neutron beams on the basic, physical infrastructure of the very building housing a Tokamak machine? Frankly, I do not know, but surely the hundreds of engineers and physicists, who have worked in this field for decades could clear up this issue.
In a recent email exchange, we were able to tentatively address this question. My email to him frankly admits that he was right, and that I was overly enthusiastic in my presentation. See below for the details.
Hello Carl,
You are right.
I tend to see the Tokamak concept from the point of view of plasma physics, while carefully avoiding the many, many associated technical issues that at associated with that resultant neutron in the D-T (tritium-deuterium) reaction.
A stray 14.4 MeV neutron will knock out a proton in the water molecule holding the experimental building’s foundation in place, which keeps the Tokamak structure upright and standing.
Such issues are treated in advanced fusion physics journals, I presume.
See:
Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion at Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion – IOPscience
| Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion – IOPscience |
Take care,
Paul
P.S. Study your neutron physics, ASAP.