In reply to Jones Beene's message of Sat, 29 May 2010 17:09:20 -0700 (PDT): Hi, [snip] >Hi Robin, > > > >As I pointed out to Larsen in private email, this reaction is silly. Why start >with Li-6 when you can start with Li-7 which is far more abundant in nature >anyway? > >I suspect that the answer which will write wrote back, if he does so (which I >doubt)is that the cross-section for thermal neutrons with Li-7 is orders of >magnitude less. In fact this isotope is used as a coolant in molten salt >reactors (LiF) which indicates how few fast and thermal neutrons are absorbed. >But only in the Li-7 isotope.
Note that he gives this reaction as the *second* reaction himself (he just uses the Li-6 + n reaction to produce the Li-7). However I think the real answer is that he is looking for a cycle that starts with D and ends up with He-4 while utilizing neutron addition in the process. As in: D + 2*n => H-4 H-4 => He-4 He-4 + 2*n => He-6 He-6 => Li-6 Li-6 + 2*n => Li-8 Li-8 => Be-8 Be-8 => 2 * He-4 Unfortunately there are a few holes in this process, certainly the way he presents it. Regards, Robin van Spaandonk http://rvanspaa.freehostia.com/Project.html
