Eric J. Lerner

President and principal investigator, Lawrenceville Plasma Physics, Inc.

Eric

Eric Lerner has been active in dense plasma focus (DPF) research for over 25 years. Beginning in 1984, he developed a detailed quantitative theory of the functioning of DPF. Based on this theory, he proposed that the DPF could achieve high ion and electron energies at high densities, suitable for advanced fuel fusion and space propulsion.

Under a series of contracts with NASA'a Jet Propulsion Labartory, he planned and participated in carrying out experiments that tested and confirmed this theory. In addition, he developed an original model of the role of the strong magnetic field effect on DPF functioning, showing that this effect could have a large effect on increasing ion temperature and decreasing electron temperature, which would reduce unwanted X-ray cooling of the plasma.

He is a leading researcher in cosmology and astrophysics, developing original, plasma-based theories of quasars, large-scale structures and other phenomena of the Universe. In 2006 he was a Visiting Astronomer at the European Southern Observatory in Santiago, Chile. As a writer about science and technology, he is the author of over 600 articles. Mr. Lerner received a B.A. in Physics from Columbia University and did graduate work in physics at the University of Maryland.

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Full background

Scientific research in plasma physics

Development of fusion energy and X-ray sources based on the dense plasma focus
Originated plasma-based theories of quasars, large-scale structure and other phenomena of the Universe
Author of "The Big Bang Never Happened"
Development of Atomizing Desalination Process

Writing and editing on high technology

Over 600 articles published as a science writer; Notable scholarly publications and conference proceedings below

RESEARCH

1995-Present

Designed experiment to test hypothesis that the dense plasma focus could achieve temperatures needed for proton-boron fusion. Developed theoretical model, designed electrodes, designed diagnostic equipment, including X-ray detector and filters, and Rogowski coil. Actively participated in experiment including selection of experimental parameters and construction of heating apparatus for decaborane functioning. Analyzed resulting data. Demonstrated achievement of 200 keV energies. Developed theory of magnetic field effect that shows feasibility of proton-boron fusion. Worked to develop intense X-ray source for infrastructure inspection. Continued development of plasma cosmology theories. Demonstrated that the surface brightness of galaxies is consistent with a non-expanding universe.

1992-1995

Designed experiment to test theory of heating in the dense plasma focus device. Designed electrodes, experimental plan, participated in carrying out experiment, and analyzed data.

1986- 1991

Developed an original theory of quasars based on extrapolation from laboratory-scale plasma instabilities in the DPF. Developed detailed theory of functioning of DPF. Proposed a theory of the origin of the large scale structure of the universe, also from plasma instability theory and the role of force-free filaments. This theory led to the prediction of supercluster complexes, shortly before their discovery by R. Brent Tully. Developed an original theory of the microwave background and the origin of light elements, accounting for both without need for a Big Bang. The microwave theory led to the prediction that there is absorption of RF radiation by the intergalactic medium, a prediction confirmed by observation in 1990.

BOOK

The Big Bang Never Happened, Random House/Times Books, 1991

SCIENTIFIC PAPERS

Fusion reactions from >150 keV ions in a dense plasma focus plasmoid, E. J. Lerner, S. K. Murali, D. M. Shannon, A. M. Blake, and F. Van Roessel, Phys. Plasmas 19, 032704 (2012)
Theory and Experimental Program for p-B¹¹ Fusion with the Dense Plasma Focus. Eric J. Lerner, S. Krupakar Murali and A. Haboub. JOURNAL OF FUSION ENERGY. January 2012, Volume 30, Number 5, 367-376.
Tolman Test from z = 0.1 to z = 5.5: Preliminary Results challenge the Expanding Universe Model. Lerner, E. J. 2nd Crisis in Cosmology Conference, CCC-2. ASP Conference Series, Vol. 413, Proceedings of the conference held 7-11 September 2008, at Port Angeles, Washington, USA. Edited by Frank Potter. San Francisco, Astronom1ical Society of the Pacific, 2009., p.12
Evidence for a Non-Expanding Universe: Surface Brightness Data From HUDF Authors: Lerner, Eric J. 1st CRISIS IN COSMOLOGY CONFERENCE, CCC-1. AIP Conference Proceedings, Volume 822, pp. 60-74 (2006).
Theory of electron current filamentation instability and ion density filamentation in the early development of a DPF discharge. Guillory, J.; Rose, D. V.; Lerner, E. J. DENSE Z-PINCHES: Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Dense Z-Pinches. AIP Conference Proceedings, Volume 1088, pp. 203-206 (2009). (AIPC Homepage)
Do Local Analogs of Lyman Break Galaxies Exist? Scarpa, R.; Falomo, R.; Lerner, E. The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 668, Issue 1, pp. 74-80.
Advances Toward PB11 Fusion with the Dense Plasma Focus
Prospects for pB11 fusion with the Dense Plasma Focus: New Results
Lerner, E.J., Peratt, A.L., Final Report, Jet Propulsion Laboratory contract 959962, (1995)
Two World Systems Revisited: A Comparison of Plasma Cosmology and the Big Bang
"Intergalactic Radio Absorption and the COBE Data", Astrophysics and Space Science, Vol.227, May, 1995, p.61-81
"On the Problem of Big Bang Nucleosynthesis", Astrophysics and Space Science, Vol.227, May, 1995 p.145-149
"The Case Against the Big Bang" in Progress in New Cosmologies, Halton C. Arp et al, eds., Plenum Press (New York), 1993
"Confirmation of Radio Absorption by the Intergalactic Medium", Astrophysics and Space Science, Vol 207,1993 p.17-26
"Force-Free Magnetic Filaments and the Cosmic Background Radiation", IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, Vol.20, no. 6, Dec. 1992, pp. 935-938
"Radio Absorption by the Intergalactic Medium," The Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 361, Sept. 20, 1990, pp. 63-68
"Prediction of the Submillimeter Spectrum of the Cosmic Background Radiation by a Plasma Model," IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, Vol. 18, No. 1, Feb. 1990, pp. 43-48
"Galactic Model of Element Formation," IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, Vol. 17, No. 3, April 1989, pp. 259-263
"Plasma Model of the Microwave Background," Laser and Particle Beams, Vol. 6, (1988), pp. 456-469
"Magnetic Vortex Filaments, Universal Invariants and the Fundamental Constants," IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, Special Issue on Cosmic Plasma, Vol. PS-14, No. 6, Dec. 1986, pp. 690-702
"Magnetic Self-Compression in Laboratory Plasma, Quasars and Radio Galaxies," Part 1, Part 2. Laser and Particle Beams, Vol. 4, Pt. 2, (1986), pp. 193-222

PATENTS

Atomizing Desalination Process (U.S. Patent #5,207,928)

Focus Fusion Generator (US. Pat #7,482,607)

AWARDS

Aviation Space Writers Association 1993 Award of Excellence in Journalism: Trade Magazines/Space for "GOES NEXT Goes Astray" Aerospace America, May 1992

Society for Technical Communication 1992 Award of Distinction: "Technology is Teaming", Bellcore Insight, Summer, 1991

Aviation Space Writers Association 1990 Award of Excellence in Journalism: Special Interest/Trade Magazine Category for "Lessons of Flight 665," Aerospace America, April, 1989

Aviation Space Writers Association 1990 Journalism Award, North East Region: Special Interest/Space Magazine Category for "Galileo's Tortuous Journey to Jupiter," Aerospace America, August, 1989

Aviation Space Writers Association 1988 National Journalism Award: Special Interest/Space Magazine Category for "FAA: An Agency Besieged", Aerospace America, February-April, 1987

Aviation Space Writers Association 1985 Journalism Award, North East Region: Special Interest/Space Magazine Category for "SDI Series", Aerospace America, August-November, 1985

Aviation Space Writers Association 1984 Journalism Award Northeast Region: Special Interest/Space Magazine Category for "Mushrooming Vulnerability to EMP", Aerospace America, August 1984