Picosecond-petawatt laser-block ignition for avalanche fusion of boron by ultrahigh acceleration and ultrahigh magnetic fields

H. Hora, P. Lalousis, L. Giuffrida, D. Margarone, G. Korn, S. Eliezer, G. H. Miley, S. Moustaizis, G. Mourou, C. P.J. Barty

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

5 Citations (Scopus)
27 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Fusion energy from reacting hydrogen (protons) with the boron isotope 11 (HB11) resulting in three stable helium nuclei, is without problem of nuclear radiation in contrast to DT fusion. But the HB11 reaction driven by nanosecond laser pulses with thermal compression and ignition by lasers is extremely difficult. This changed radically when irradiation with picosecond laser pulses produces a non-thermal plasma block ignition with ultrahigh acceleration. This uses the nonlinear (ponderomotive) force to surprizingly resulting in same thresholds as DT fusion even under pessimistic assumption of binary reactions. After evaluation of reactions trapped cylindrically by kilotesla magnetic fields and using the measured highly increased HB11 fusion gains for the proof of an avalanche of the three alphas in secondary reactions, possibilities for an absolutely clean energy source at comptitive costs were concluded

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPicosecond-petawatt laser-block ignition for avalanche fusion of boron by ultrahigh acceleration and ultrahigh magnetic fields
Number of pages4
Volume717
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 26 May 2016
Externally publishedYes
Event9th International Conference on Inertial Fusion Sciences and Applications, IFSA 2015 - Seattle, United States
Duration: 20 Sept 201525 Sept 2015

Publication series

NameJournal of Physics: Conference Series
PublisherIOP Publishing Ltd.
Volume717
ISSN (Print)1742-6588

Conference

Conference9th International Conference on Inertial Fusion Sciences and Applications, IFSA 2015
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySeattle
Period20/09/201525/09/2015

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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