Laser Driven Fusion

Abstract

Laser-driven fusion, although requiring the use of an unusual source of pulsed energy, depends in its main features on well known and verified results of hydrodynamics and nuclear physics. Under optimized conditions these allow energy breakeven by the fusion process to occur under conditions which appear to be well within the range of present technology. Achieving the energy multiplication required for practical application is expected to be more difficult but not infeasible within short-range projections of the development of laser technology. The feasibility of laser-driven fusion power plants appears to rest more on pellet and laser ecomonics than on reactor technology. The study of these problems is underway and will certainly be greatly intensified as the prediction of the basic processes is experimentally confirmed.