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Fusion energy: Progress, partnerships, and the path to deployment
Over the past decade, fusion energy has moved decisively from scientific aspiration toward a credible pathway to a new energy technology. Thanks to long-term federal support, we have significantly advanced our fundamental understanding of plasma physics—the behavior of the superheated gases at the heart of fusion devices. This knowledge will enable the creation and control of fusion fuel under conditions required for future power plants. Our progress is exemplified by breakthroughs at the National Ignition Facility and the Joint European Torus.
T. R. Boehly, R. S. Craxton, T. H. Hinterman, P. A. Jaanimagi, J. H. Kelly, T. J. Kessler, R. L. Kremens, S. A. Kumpan, S. A. Letzring, R. L. McCrory, S. F. B. Morse, W. Seka, S. Skupsky, J. M. Soures, C. P. Verdon
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 26 | Number 3 | November 1994 | Pages 722-729
Future Inertial Confinement Fusion Facility | Proceedings of the Eleventh Topical Meeting on the Technology of Fusion Energy New Orleans, Louisiana June 19-23, 1994 | doi.org/10.13182/FST94-A40242
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
We report on fusion research at the University of Rochester's Laboratory for Laser Energetics. We describe the configuration of the upgrade to the OMEGA laser system—a 30-kJ, 351-nm, 60-beam, Nd:glass, direct-drive laser-fusion system. The system utilizes rod and disk amplifiers and frequency-tripling to produce intense UV. Target irradiation uniformity is controlled using phase conversion and smoothing by spectral dispersion (SSD). Dual driver lines will feed the propagation of two coaxial beams that have different pulse widths and occupy different portions of the laser aperture. Operation of the laser will begin in November 1994, and the target area will be completed in March 1995.