Future

Fusion technology

Inertial containment

This method represents the newest approach to the fusion reaction problem. Magnetic containment reactor operates at relatively low pressure, high temperature and low fuel density (only 1g fuel per 1000 m3). It was proven that fusion ignition can occur in different conditions. If the D-T is compressed to density one thousand times higher than in the tokamak, formed as pellet and struck by the laser, fusion ignition will occur. Duration of laser strike is only a billion part of the second. In this time temperature of the pellet is increasing from -270 ºC to millions ºC. Such rapid increase caused burning of hydrogen and atoms easily fuse each other. Inertial containment methods is not limited only to laser use but so far it is the only device that is able to cause fast temperature increase in required range at defined time.

Studies over fusion ignition has led to fast ignition technique, using two lasers. One with lower power causes fuel pellet heating and second very fast with large power causes ignition. Summary power of two laser can be smaller than single laser in previous scenario even 5 to 10 times.

Although method is correct and lead to the goal that is fusion reaction, lasers operates discontinuously.

There are several researching programs undertaken on "laser fusion" development purpose but there is no spectacular breakthrough so far.

Ref. [60],[61],[62],[63]

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