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Does inertial confinement contain fusion?
Inertial confinement fusion (ICF) is a fusion energy research program that initiates nuclear fusion reactions by compressing and heating targets filled with thermonuclear fuel. ICF is one of two major branches of fusion energy research, the other is magnetic confinement fusion.
How does inertial confinement work?
In an inertial confinement fusion (ICF) reactor, a tiny solid pellet of fuel—such as deuterium-tritium (D-T)—would be compressed to tremendous density and temperature so that fusion power is produced in the few nanoseconds before the pellet blows apart. The compression is accomplished by focusing an intense laser…
What are current issues with magnetic fusion?
Unfortunately, there are several difficulties with magnetic fusion power. The two main issues are the plasma confinement and the proper materials. The fusion plasma is very difficult to confine with the magnetic fields.
Why is confinement such a problem for fusion?
When fuel is injected into a fusion reactor, powerful “rogue” waves might be created that can cause it to escape confinement. These waves can reduce the efficiency or even stop the fusion reaction.
What is confinement in fusion?
Plasma confinement refers to the containment of a plasma by various forces at the extreme conditions necessary for thermonuclear fusion reactions. This magnetic confinement strategy may allow them to confine fusion grade plasmas over the long term. Another confinement strategy relies on the inertia of imploding matter.
What is inertial confinement fusion?
The fusion burn propagates outward through the cooler, outer regions of the capsule much more rapidly than the capsule can expand. Instead of magnetic fields, the plasma is confined by the inertia of its own mass—hence the term inertial confinement fusion.
Is inertial confinement fusion viable in commercial power plants?
Creating inertial confinement fusion and energy gain in the NIF target chamber will be a significant step toward making fusion energy viable in commercial power plants. LLNL scientists also are exploring other approaches to developing ICF as a commercially viable energy source (see Fast Ignition ).
What is the Lawson criterion for inertial fusion?
For inertial fusion, the Lawson criterion can be approximated by Pτ > 11 f ( T )/ θα, where P is the plasma pressure, τ is the inertial confinement time of the fuel in seconds, θα is the fraction of α-particle energy deposited in the fuel, and f ( T) is a dimensionless function of the temperature T (ref. 5 ).
How does ICF fusion work?
How ICF Works. The fusion burn propagates outward through the cooler, outer regions of the capsule much more rapidly than the capsule can expand. Instead of magnetic fields, the plasma is confined by the inertia of its own mass—hence the term inertial confinement fusion.