Assignment:
Energy: Laser Fusion
Please provide a short paragraph on fusion progress.
Please read over the Nature paper (perspective) on laser fusion and present your thoughts with regard to the viability of this approach and if it is better or worse than solar, wind, biomass.
"Laser fusion on the horizon"
NATURE PHOTONICS | VOL 6 | MAY 2012 | www.nature.com/naturephotonics
On 15 March 2012, researchers at the National Ignition Facility fired all 192 laser beams at once to deliver 1.875 MJ of energy in 23 billionths of a second. This demonstration generated 100 times more than any other laser in operation. However, ignition was not achieved nor is it likely to be any time soon. A recent article dated 7 November 2012 in Scientific America entitled ?World's Most Powerful Laser Facility Shifts Focus to Warheads? states ignition will be unlikely as funding and direction is to shift away from ignition to warheads.
The laser has several major issues that must be addressed ?One problem seems to be that too much of the laser light is scattering back out of the capsule. Another is that the pellet is being squeezed asymmetrically, which lowers the pressure at its center. The asymmetry also causes the isotopes to mix unevenly, lowering the temperature in the pellet? (Scientific America). The new plan is to provide more slowly in a methodical manner as man figures out nature.
Still not sure how to address laser as compared to other forms of energy like wind and solar or biomass.
Review the Link: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=worlds-most-powerful-laser-facility-shifts-focus-to-warheads.