BBC: Giant laser experiment powers up

[Qutzupalotl]

(Livermore, Ca.)

The US National Ignition Facility is designed to demonstrate the feasibility of nuclear fusion, a process that could offer abundant clean energy.

The lab will kick-start the reaction by focusing 192 giant laser beams on a tiny pellet of hydrogen fuel.

To work, it must show that more energy can be extracted from the process than is required to initiate it.

Professor Mike Dunne, who leads a European venture that is also pursuing nuclear fusion with lasers, told BBC News that if NIF was successful, it would be a "seismic event".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7972865.stm


interesting NIF promotional video at link (after ad)

[sakabatou]

1. The laser to be used