The sun is shining with the energy of nuclear fusion.Fusion energy is regarded as the ultimate energy source to solve human energy problems, and it is said that only 1g of fuel can generate energy equivalent to 8 tons of oil.In order to realize fusion energy on the ground, "laser fusion" research that causes a fusion reaction using a high-power laser is being conducted in Japan, the United States, France, China, and so on.However, the mainstream "central ignition method" has not yet succeeded.
Under these circumstances, using the LFEX laser owned by Osaka University, plasma generation in an ultra-high pressure state comparable to 1/10 of the center of the sun was achieved.Laser nucleus is the result of an international joint research team consisting of Osaka University, Hiroshima University, Laser Technology Research Institute, National Institute for Fusion Science, The Graduate School for the Creation of Photonic Industry, Nevada University, Padhu University, etc. in the United States. We approached the high pressure required to realize the fusion.
This research team has adopted a unique high-efficiency laser fusion method called "high-speed ignition method", which has been combined with the strongest magnet on the ground of 1 kilotesla (1000 times stronger than a general magnet) so far. We have demonstrated the principle of "magnetized high-speed ignition" and succeeded in improving the heating efficiency.In this research, we took this further and heated the plasma up to 2 million degrees Celsius, and succeeded in producing a surprisingly high pressure plasma of 200 billion atmospheres.
One of the keys to this success is the long-term heating that keeps the plasma heated with an ultra-high intensity laser. The LFEX laser can irradiate for a relatively long time (still only one trillionth of a second), and its output is 1 times the electrical power consumed worldwide.
The magnetized high-speed ignition method can achieve ultra-high pressure on a scale less than 1/5 of that of giant laser facilities in other countries.The world's most efficient fusion ignition is captured within range, and research will continue.
Paper information:[Physical Review Letters] Peta-Pascal Pressure Driven by Fast Isochoric Heating with Multi-Picosecond Intense Laser Pulse