[net.physics] proton decay as an energy source.

CSvax:Physics:piner (11/10/82)

It has been suggested that stimulated proton decay would be a
great source of energy to drive a starship, or anything else
for that matter. I have heard this before and as before I must
point out some very real problems with such a scheme. While
decay of a proton will produce a lot of energy, that energy
may not be very useful. They energy will be in the form of
hard X-rays. It must be converted from that form into something
more usefull, such as electricity. The conversion efficiency
may be so low, that it would not be competitive with a more direct
approach such as a fusion reactor which discharges the energetic
particles in one direction. In short, all forms of enrgy are not
equally useful. The principles of thermodynamics apply even to
proton decay. So proton decay may not be as useful as you think.
As a historical precident of unwarrented optimism, note the state
of the nuclear fission effort.
					Richard Piner