Research
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Frontiers in Nuclear Engineering
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June 26, 2026
Inertial electrostatic confinement fusion devices (fusors) are becoming increasingly attractive neutron sources, and are well suited for global distribution with great humanitarian benefits. However, such neutrons are agnostic to the user's intent, so could in theory be used for malicious means. This paper discusses the feasibility of using fusors to convert fertile thorium-232 or uranium-238 into fissile material for the purpose of proliferating a nuclear weapon, and whether this is a simple, convenient, and subtle method compared to existing means such as nuclear piles or enrichment plants. Such an effort would require one or more fusors to produce neutrons at a rate that is out of range of contemporary device technologies, and would be drastically inferior to conventional proliferation techniques. Without significant breakthroughs in fusor technology, this paradigm is expected to remain.
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