Some considerations on the economics of triggered fusion reactions

The economics of a pulsed fusion reactor, relying on inertial confinement and using solid D-T pellets as fuel, are briefly discussed. An estimate of the minimum size for such a reactor is calculated for a range of energy gains. The improvements resulting from enclosing the fuel pellet within a solid tamper and using the alpha particle energy to heat the plasma are considered. The trigger energies required are found to be around 10 3 MJ, to be injected in a few nanoseconds.