Fusion Physics

Aneutronic Fuel Cycle

A fusion fuel cycle that produces few or no neutrons, avoiding the radiation damage and activation problems of D-T fusion. The most studied aneutronic reaction is p-B11 (proton + boron-11 → 3 alpha particles), which requires temperatures of ~500 keV — far higher than D-T. Aneutronic fusion would simplify reactor design by eliminating neutron shielding and tritium breeding requirements.

Verified Primary Sources

Related Terms

Neutron Flux Neutron Degradation

Timeline Mentions (3)

1990

MARAUDER program begins — AFRL fires compact toroid plasmoids as weapons

Shiva Star facility. 100 billion g acceleration. Explicitly NOT fusion. Same facility as FRCHX. The critical link.
1993

MARAUDER (August 1993): USAF compact toroid weapon, 100 billion g acceleration, Shiva Star, went dark mid-1990s

USAF Phillips Lab compact toroid weapon. 100 billion g acceleration. 9.5 MJ Shiva Star. 'Not a fusion program' — weapons. Physics identical to FRC. Went dark mid-1990s. Lineage: SHIVA I → MARAUDER → F
2022

Xcimer Energy founded — revives Star Wars laser tech for fusion

KrF excimer laser from SDI era. 10 MJ target. $100M Series A. Phoenix prototype 2026.
View Full Timeline →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Aneutronic Fuel Cycle? ▾
A fusion fuel cycle that produces few or no neutrons, avoiding the radiation damage and activation problems of D-T fusion. The most studied aneutronic reaction is p-B11 (proton + boron-11 → 3 alpha particles), which requires temperatures of ~500 keV — far higher than D-T. Aneutronic fusion would simplify reactor design by eliminating neutron shielding and tritium breeding requirements.
How does Aneutronic Fuel Cycle relate to other concepts? ▾
Aneutronic Fuel Cycle is closely related to Neutron Flux, Neutron Degradation. These relationships are documented in the research glossary and cross-referenced with primary source documents.
When did Aneutronic Fuel Cycle appear in the research timeline? ▾
Aneutronic Fuel Cycle is referenced in 3 timeline events, including "MARAUDER program begins — AFRL fires compact toroid plasmoids as weapons" (1990). The timeline provides chronological context for the development and application of this concept.
← Previous First-Wall Heat Flux All Terms Next → REBCO