Aneutronic Fuel Cycle
A fusion fuel cycle that produces few or no neutrons, avoiding the radiation damage and activation problems of D-T fusion.
01 Definition
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.
03 Key_Facts
- ▸ 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
- ▸ Related Concepts: Neutron Flux, Neutron Degradation, Magnetic Confinement Fusion, Inertial Confinement Fusion
04 Deep_Dive_Intelligence
Overview
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.
Role: Glossary term: Aneutronic Fuel Cycle
Entity Type: Concept — Aneutronic Fuel Cycle is a technical concept or theoretical framework.
Technical Definition
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.
Related Concepts: Neutron Flux, Neutron Degradation, Magnetic Confinement Fusion, Inertial Confinement Fusion
06 Related_Terms (2)
08 Timeline_Mentions (3)
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.
defense-programsMARAUDER (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
uap-researchXcimer Energy founded — revives Star Wars laser tech for fusion
KrF excimer laser from SDI era. 10 MJ target. $100M Series A. Phoenix prototype 2026.
fusion-research09 FAQ
What is Aneutronic Fuel Cycle? ▾
Why does Aneutronic Fuel Cycle matter? ▾
How does Aneutronic Fuel Cycle relate to other concepts? ▾
When did Aneutronic Fuel Cycle appear in the research timeline? ▾
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Quick_Facts
- Category
- Fusion Physics
- Aliases
- Aneutronic Fuel Cycle, aneutronic-fuel-cycle
- Sources
- 8
- Related Terms
- 2
- Timeline Events
- 3