Triggered Isomer ReactionsTriggered Isomer Reactions(TIR)(TIR)

A controllable nuclear power sourceA controllable nuclear power source

Emanuel Perez, Drew Gaskell, Tom Emanuel Perez, Drew Gaskell, Tom BilleterBilleterPhysics 4D ~ SRJC Spring 2004Physics 4D ~ SRJC Spring 2004

IntroductionIntroduction

A Gamma decay of an Excited IsomerA Gamma decay of an Excited Isomer Not a fission or fusion reaction, the Not a fission or fusion reaction, the

process involves excitation energiesprocess involves excitation energies Still obeys Einstein’s Equation, E=mcStill obeys Einstein’s Equation, E=mc22

Produces significantly less harmful Produces significantly less harmful radiation than fission or fusion radiation than fission or fusion reactionsreactions

Possible to control reaction for Possible to control reaction for potential power sourcepotential power source

Recent DevelopmentsRecent Developments

Radioisotope Decay accompanies many nuclear Radioisotope Decay accompanies many nuclear reactions, since the nuclei are left in an excited reactions, since the nuclei are left in an excited state.state.

In 1998, at the University of Texas a team led by In 1998, at the University of Texas a team led by Dr. Carl Collins triggered significantly increased Dr. Carl Collins triggered significantly increased energy decay in a hafnium isomer sample using energy decay in a hafnium isomer sample using a dental x-ray machine (Collins et al, 1999).a dental x-ray machine (Collins et al, 1999).

The x-rays excited the hafnium isomer, yielding The x-rays excited the hafnium isomer, yielding a cascade of a cascade of -rays and x-rays at varying energy -rays and x-rays at varying energy levels, without the need for a nuclear fusion or levels, without the need for a nuclear fusion or fission reaction.fission reaction.

Emitted x-rays can be reflected to sustain and Emitted x-rays can be reflected to sustain and control the reactioncontrol the reaction

DiagramDiagram

Current Research and Current Research and DevelopmentDevelopment

Air Force is developing an UAV utilizing a Triggered Isomer Air Force is developing an UAV utilizing a Triggered Isomer Reactor and Heat Exchanges, coupled to a turbine engine.Reactor and Heat Exchanges, coupled to a turbine engine.

The Superheated air is injected directly into the turbine The Superheated air is injected directly into the turbine engines combustion sectionengines combustion section

The heat exchanger absorbs the gamma rays and heats The heat exchanger absorbs the gamma rays and heats the air passing through it. At altitude, the turbine will the air passing through it. At altitude, the turbine will switch from conventional operation, to NUCLEAR POWER.switch from conventional operation, to NUCLEAR POWER.

TIR MechanismTIR Mechanism

Radioisotope decay is the process of Radioisotope decay is the process of gamma emissions from an excited gamma emissions from an excited nucleus.nucleus.

Similar in theory to a LASER, because Similar in theory to a LASER, because they both involve stimulated emission they both involve stimulated emission from an excited state atom.from an excited state atom.

Nucleus will lower its energy state by Nucleus will lower its energy state by emitting emitting -rays (gamma rays).-rays (gamma rays).

Hafnium-178mHafnium-178m The Hafnium isomer used is in the The Hafnium isomer used is in the

metastable state (tmetastable state (t1/21/2=31yrs).=31yrs). Bombarding with low energy x-Bombarding with low energy x-

rays (10-90 keV) excites the atom rays (10-90 keV) excites the atom to an even higher energy that can to an even higher energy that can decay to the ground state decay to the ground state releasing a high energy gamma releasing a high energy gamma ray the text calls this an isometric ray the text calls this an isometric transition. This is like throwing a transition. This is like throwing a snowball to bring down an snowball to bring down an avalanche.avalanche.

Because only certain transitions Because only certain transitions are allowed between electron are allowed between electron subshells in an atom a quantized subshells in an atom a quantized x-ray is required to elevate the ex-ray is required to elevate the e-- and quantized gamma rays are and quantized gamma rays are released. For this reason the released. For this reason the reactor is sometimes called a reactor is sometimes called a quantum nucleonic reactor.quantum nucleonic reactor.

Modern Applications of Modern Applications of TIRTIR

Highly maneuverable Highly maneuverable fighter/attack aircraftfighter/attack aircraft

Long range cargo Long range cargo and passenger and passenger planesplanes

Long endurance Long endurance platformsplatforms

Very long range Very long range cruise missilescruise missiles

Enhanced rocket Enhanced rocket propulsionpropulsion

GeneratorsGenerators Turbine enginesTurbine engines

The OppositionThe OppositionIncluding Lawrence Livermore LabIncluding Lawrence Livermore Lab

Do not believe the X-ray Do not believe the X-ray intensities are validintensities are valid

No increase was found No increase was found in the decay of Hf-178in the decay of Hf-178

Gamma Ray Laser Gamma Ray Laser application is plausibleapplication is plausible

Rebuttal: “Failures that are Rebuttal: “Failures that are unfamiliar with this field unfamiliar with this field and did not know the and did not know the correct x-ray energy correct x-ray energy levels to trigger Hf-178 levels to trigger Hf-178 nor did they use nor did they use monochromatic X-rays”monochromatic X-rays”

FAQFAQ

Who discovered it?Who discovered it? When did research When did research

begin?begin? Has there been any Has there been any

development yet?development yet? Are there any Are there any

applications in use applications in use today?today?

Where is research Where is research being conducted?being conducted?

Who is paying for Who is paying for the funding?the funding?

Are there any more Are there any more Questions?Questions?

Works CitedWorks Cited

Thornton, Stephen T., and Andrew Rex. Thornton, Stephen T., and Andrew Rex. Modern Physics: for Modern Physics: for scientists and engineersscientists and engineers. Fort Worth: Saunders College . Fort Worth: Saunders College Publishing, 2000.Publishing, 2000.

Wilson, Jim. “Atomic Wings: A new mini-reactor revives the Wilson, Jim. “Atomic Wings: A new mini-reactor revives the dream of a nuclear-powered aircraft.” dream of a nuclear-powered aircraft.” Popular MechanicsPopular Mechanics May 2004: 98-103.May 2004: 98-103.

““Triggered Isomer Reactions.” 13 pages. On-line. Internet. Triggered Isomer Reactions.” 13 pages. On-line. Internet. 4 May 2004. 4 May 2004.

Available <Available <http://www.nuclear.com/index-Other.htmlhttp://www.nuclear.com/index-Other.html>>

Silberberg, Martin S. Silberberg, Martin S. Chemistry: The molecular nature of Chemistry: The molecular nature of matter and change.matter and change. 3rd Ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2003. 3rd Ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2003.