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Evaluation of Antiproton Catalyzed Fusion for Interstellar Propulsion
by Richard Obousy
Abstract
Due to the ability of antiprotons to annihilate with ordinary matter with 100% efficiency, antiprotons serve as an exceptionally high-energy density storage mechanism. Upon annihilation, sufficient energy can be generated to trigger fusion reactions. In this paper we study a variety of ways that antiprotons can be utilized as drivers for fusion ignition. In addition, we explore a number of specific anti-proton driven fusion propulsion concepts. The technological maturity of such concepts is examined, and recommendations given for future Project Icarus research pertaining to this study.
This is a submission of the Project Icarus Study Group.
Keywords: antiproton catalyzed fusion, interstellar propulsion, fusion propulsion, Project Icarus.
For link to full research paper please visit: Evaluation of Antiproton Catalyzed Fusion for Interstellar Propulsion
I went straight to the “Technological maturity” section where (aside for the two problems for using antimatter that are actually three
) there is timeframe of a few decades in order to even begin to solve them.
The way I see it, first we would use fusion to create antimatter, not the other way around.
Possibly, but the main thing to extract from this research is the possible use of very small quantities of antimatter (micrograms) to create the necessary conditions to ignite the fusion fuel. Of course it’s very early days in he research, but the alternatives are devices like Tokamaks, or lasers like the US NIF system. If an effective storage and delivery system is found for the antimatter then it potentially reduces the mass of the fusion “driver” system.