1
$\begingroup$

Since a Farnsworth–Hirsch fusor is apparently a good fast neutron source that is simple enough to build at home, why can't it be used by rogue states or even terrorists to turn non fissile U-238, depleted Uranium that the US often shoots at its enemies in the form of shells, into fissile Plutonium-239 through neutron bombardment?

I'm assuming that the neutron output from such a device would only be enough to create a microscopic amount of plutonium and therefore wouldn't be useful, but I was wondering what other physical constraints prevent this from being a proliferation threat.

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
1
  • $\begingroup$ For high neutron flux, use a spallation neutron source. $\endgroup$
    – Young Jun Lee
    Commented May 4, 2023 at 16:47

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1
$\begingroup$

The Fusor emits $10^7$ neutrons/sec. One being developed hopefully will emit $10^{11}$ neutrons/sec.

Compare that to $6 \times 10^{23}$ atoms/mole.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
3
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ And also , add cross section of the reaction to obtain 239Pu from 238U . $\endgroup$
    – Jean Jacques
    Commented Oct 7, 2020 at 9:50
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ As @JeanJacques indicates, fast neutrons are not the way to go to get 239U - the cross section above 1MeV i roughly 6 orders of magnitude smaller than the thermal neutron cross section. $\endgroup$
    – Jon Custer
    Commented Oct 7, 2020 at 12:50
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ @JeanJacques An update: prnewswire.com/news-releases/… Curiously, on the Wikipedia page, the maximum output of the fusor reactors is frozen at the 2013 record. $\endgroup$
    – Young Jun Lee
    Commented May 2, 2023 at 11:36

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.