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Giant Laser in the Works to Achieve Fusion

Eric Bland, Discovery News

For those worried about the prospect of either a supernovae or thermonuclear explosion stemming from the project, Hirschfeld says not to worry.

"The amount of fuel being used is smaller than a BB," said Hirschfeld. "And the reaction is not self-sustaining," meaning that without the lasers the reaction will fizzle out harmlessly.

The target chamber is also encased in aluminum, then in 16 inches of concrete, which is then encased with another round of concrete.

The lasers can only fire every few hours because of the extreme heat generated by the 500 trillion watts, more than 1,000 times the power generated in the United States at any moment, necessary to power the lasers.

Despite its size and energy consumption, the goal of cheap energy has attracted other countries to nuclear fusion as well.

Scientists in France and the U.K. are working on other laser-based fusion plans. Other groups, notably the ITER experiment to be based in France, are trying to reach ignition through magnetic fields.

However nuclear fusion is achieved, the result would be a boon for humanity.

"The great thing about fusion is the fuel is widely available to all nations, it's a relatively benign form of energy, and there isn't long-lived radioactive waste," said Ron Davidson of Princeton University who is not involved in the NIF.

"It would be a great scientific step forward if the NIF achieves ignition and I personally believe that they will."

Related Links:

Eric Bland's blog: Interior Design

National Ignition Facility (NIF)

Plasma Science and Fusion Center

ITER experiment

How Stuff Works: Fusion Reactors