Energy balance of controlled thermonuclear fusion

It is shown that a discrepancy and incompatibility persist between basic ph ysics and fusion-literature regarding the radiation losses from a thermonuc lear plasma. Whereas the fusion-literature neglects the excitation or line radiation completely according to basic physics it depends upon the prevail ing conditions and cannot be neglected in general. Moreover, for a magnetiz ed plasma, while the fusion-literature assumes a self-absorption or reabsor ption of cyclotron or synchrotron radiation emitted by the electrons spiral ing along the magnetic held, the basic physics does not allow any effective reabsorption of cyclotron or synchrotron radiation. As is demonstrated, fallacious assumptions and notions, which somehow or ot her crept into the fusion-literature, are responsible for this discrepancy In the present work, the theory is corrected. On the grounds of basic physi cs, a complete energy balance of magnetized and non-magnetized plasmas is p resented for pulsed, stationary and self-sustaining operations by taking in to account the energy release by reactions of light nuclei as well as diffe rent kinds of diffusive (conduction) and radiative (bremsstrahlung, cyclotr on or synchrotron radiation and excitation radiation) energy losses. Alread y the energy losses by radiation make the energy balance negative. Hence, a fusion reactor-an energy producing device-seems to be beyond the realms of realization.