Sorry, Steve, you walked right into that one. |-> The problem with FGMP
neutron flux is NOT shielding-- we must assume, BTW, a much smaller
fusion plant than the minimum one allowed by the rules if we're going
to put it on a man's back, but I digress-- as we HAVE in fact postulated
a containment for fusion neutron flux that is light and efficient. (I,
for one, believe that a spherical focussed gravitic generator might make
a nifty bottle-- it uses SF science that we've already forgiven. I have
NOT tried to work out the power required to generate a grav field capable
of neutron deflection etc etc etc CYA CYA, but there are ways to handwave
around this without damaging the rules.)
The problem with FGMPs is that while the fusion vessel is shielded nicely
from hurting anyone, it then proceeds to gob fusing plasma on whomever it's
pointed at when GI Joe pressed the red button marked "MAKE DEAD". And if
fusion is still going on at that point, THEN you get a massive release of
utterly unshielded neutrons causing all sorts of subcellular mayhem.
And no, the proton-proton chain, if 100% efficient, does not release any
neutrons. But D-T fusion, as used in Traveller, releases TONS of them.
This drags us back to the TDR discussion-- what do Traveller fusion
reactors FUSE? The HIWG says one thing, other people say another, and
I personally favor a third....
- --
Mike Metlay [email removed]
Atomic City [address removed]