Nuclear Fusion using LASERS
Summary
The National Ignition Facility (NIF) at California has been developed by the Department of Energy in order to simulate the conditions inside a nuclear explosion. The simulation of the process of fusion will be done in a campaign at the NIF. The process of nuclear fusion constitutes fusing of hydrogen atoms to form helium at tremendously high temperatures and pressures thereby releasing huge amounts of energy. This clean carbon-free energy can be tapped into by appropriate means. The NIF will employ 192 of the world’s most powerful lasers to demonstrate the process of thermonuclear burn (fusion). The laser beams which create energy will converge in a target chamber at a very tiny spot thus generating high amounts of energy. In order to enable scientists understand the process better, 35 diagnostics will be used and radar will be set up around the target. By securing information on the process via optical light, x-rays and neutrons, NIF will be able to improvise on its demonstration.
Keywords: National Ignition Facility, NIF, Department of Energy, nuclear explosion, Fusion, hydrogen, helium, clean energy, carbon-free energy, lasers, Thermonuclear burn, radar, x-rays, optical light, neutrons
