Fusion Power Density
Compact size and high field concentrate 85.0 MW of fusion power into a small volume, giving Hyperion an intense neutron source for its footprint.
Power per unit volume
Fusion power density is how much fusion power a plasma produces per unit of its volume. It rises steeply with plasma pressure, roughly as pressure squared, so a high-beta, high-field, high-current machine packs a great deal of power into a small volume. Hyperion's 85.0 MW comes from a plasma only about 1.2 m in major radius, which is a high power density.
Why density matters for a foundry
For a breeder, high power density means a high neutron flux per unit of first-wall area, which means efficient breeding and irradiation for a compact, buildable machine. It is the same property that lets the machine be sized to a supply requirement rather than a large power rating. Concentration of the neutron source is a feature the foundry is designed to exploit.
The trade-off of concentration
Concentrating power also concentrates stress. High power density means high heat flux on the first wall and divertor and high neutron loading on close-in components, especially the lightly shielded center post. The same physics that makes Hyperion productive for its size is what drives its material and lifetime challenges. The design accepts intense power density and manages its consequences through material choice and replaceable components.
- Power density scales with plasma pressure squared
- High density gives strong breeding flux in a compact machine
- It also concentrates heat and neutron loads on components
This page describes a design and simulation study, not a built machine. Construction begins Q2 2027; first-of-a-kind first tritium is targeted near 2030.