NIF's Nuclear Fusion Experiments

Clipped from: AFP: US scientists step towards nuclear fusion with laser shot

US scientists step towards nuclear fusion with laser shot

  WASHINGTON — US scientists have produced a laser shot with an unprecedented energy level that could be a key step towards nuclear fusion, the US National Nuclear Security Administration said Wednesday.

The researchers for the first time delivered a megajoule of energy to a target by focusing 192 laser beams at the same time at a temperature of 111 million Celsius (200 million Fahrenheit), it said in a statement

"Breaking the megajoule barrier brings us one step closer to fusion ignition," said the body's administrator Thomas D?Agostino in a statement.

Clipped from: Focusing 192 lasers on one little target

Clipped from: National Ignition Facility & Photon Science - The Power of Light

The world's largest and highest-energy laser, the National Ignition Facility (NIF), was dedicated on May 29, 2009. In 2010, NIF will begin experiments that will focus the energy of 192 giant laser beams on a BB-sized target filled with hydrogen fuel. NIF's goal is to fuse the hydrogen atoms' nuclei and produce net energy gain – the same fusion energy process that makes the stars shine and provides the life-giving energy of the sun. NIF is a program of the National Nuclear Security Administration. More on NIF ...

 

   

NIC Moves Into High Gear

  The experimental phase of the National Ignition Campaign (NIC), a series of tests and simulations to prepare NIF for its first nuclear fusion experiments in 2010, is under way. Shortly after the dedication of the NIF facility in May, NIC began conducting test shots to fine-tune the performance of NIF´s lasers, calibrate its diagnostic equipment, and verify the sophisticated computer simulations that help to guide the design of NIF´s fusion targets. More on NIC

Clipped from: Dailymotion - Nuclear Fusion by Laser : The Power of Light film from NIF - une vidéo Actu et Politique

The Power of Ligh a film from the NIF (National Ignition Facility) explaining the three goals of the NIF plant :

Nuclear Fusion by Laser : The Power of Light film from NIF
Geüpload door Julienwifi. - Nieuwe video's uit de hele wereld.

Clipped from: National Ignition Campaign: Inertial Confinement Fusion, NIF & Photon Science

All of the energy of NIF's 192 beams is directed inside a gold cylinder called a hohlraum, which is about the size of a dime. A tiny capsule inside the hohlraum contains atoms of deuterium (hydrogen with one neutron) and tritium (hydrogen with two neutrons) that fuel the ignition process.

See How ICF Works for a more detailed description of inertial confinement fusion.

Sources:

1. AFP: US scientists step towards nuclear fusion with laser shot
2. Focusing 192 lasers on one little target
3. National Ignition Facility & Photon Science - The Power of Light
4. Dailymotion - Nuclear Fusion by Laser : The Power of Light film from NIF - une vidéo Actu et Politique
5. National Ignition Campaign: Inertial Confinement Fusion, NIF & Photon Science

    Related:

1. National Ignition Facility achieves unprecedented 1 megajoule laser shot
2. One step closer to nuclear fusion, scientists say (again) | Energy / Fuel
3. Nuclear Fusion Power a Step Closer After Giant Laser Blast
4. Is fusion success in sight? - Cosmic Log - msnbc.com
5. BBC News - Laser fusion test results raise energy hopes
6. Lasers zap fusion doubts at NIF - physicsworld.com
7. Focusing 192 lasers on one little target