What question did this study set out to answer?

To optimize the design of indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion implosions to deliver more energy to the fusion hot spot and achieve a self-heating burning plasma state.

January 26, 2022Nature PhysicsOpen Access

Design of inertial fusion implosions reaching the burning plasma regime

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Authors

AKA. L. KritcherLawrence Livermore National Laboratory CYC. V. YoungLawrence Livermore National Laboratory HRH. F. RobeyLos Alamos National Laboratory

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Implication

Experimental study demonstrates burning plasma states in indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion, indicating self-sustaining alpha heating capable of exceeding laser input power.

Key Points

To optimize the design of indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion implosions to deliver more energy to the fusion hot spot and achieve a self-heating burning plasma state.
Engineered enlarged, high-efficiency hohlraum radiation cavities to implode larger capsules containing deuterium–tritium fuel at the National Ignition Facility.
Controlled implosion symmetry within facility limits by redistributing energy across laser beams and refining hohlraum geometry.
Analyzed energy deposition and heating balance in the implosion hot spot using radiation hydrodynamics simulations.
Generated 1.5 petawatts of fusion power, exceeding the peak input power of the driving laser.
Produced 170 kJ of fusion energy from the imploded fuel capsules.
Demonstrated that alpha-particle energy deposition is the dominant source of heating in the hot-spot energy balance, confirming the attainment of a burning plasma regime.

Cite This Study

Kritcher et al. (2022) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a92486fcf08077344f0c8b8 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41567-021-01485-9

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Implication

Experimental study demonstrates burning plasma states in indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion, indicating self-sustaining alpha heating capable of exceeding laser input power.

Design of inertial fusion implosions reaching the burning plasma regime

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Design of inertial fusion implosions reaching the burning plasma regime

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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