Berlin 2014 – scientific programme

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AGA: Arbeitsgruppe Physik und Abrüstung

AGA 6: Nuclear Energy Risks and Nuclear Proliferation

AGA 6.2: Invited Talk

Thursday, March 20, 2014, 15:00–16:00, DO24 Reuter Saal

Fusion Energy and Nuclear Non-Proliferation — •Rob Goldston — Princeton Plasma Physics Lab, Princeton, USA

Neutrons from DT fusion can be used to produce 239Pu or 233U. However since no fertile nor fissile material need be present in a pure fusion power plant, it would be relatively easy to detect significant covert transmutation in a declared facility. Clandestine fusion-based transmutation does not appear credible. Furthermore, no fissile materials are immediately available in a fusion breakout scenario.

DT fusion systems produce and burn ~400g of tritium per day, a small fraction of which, if diverted, could be used to enhance the efficiency, reliability and/or safety of a nuclear weapon. Very accurate T accountancy needs to be developed for fusion energy systems.

Finally, the spread of inertial fusion energy R&D may result in dissemination of knowledge relevant to the design of nuclear weapons. International agreements to restrain information transfer are required.

In summary, fusion is much safer from a proliferation standpoint than fission, but still requires verification and control.