In Inertial Fusion Energy systems, the fusion process is initiated by external energy sources known as drivers, which include high-energy lasers, ion beams, or electromagnetic compression devices. For instance, the National Ignition Facility driver is one of the most complex optical systems, featuring 192 laser beams. It is a marvel of engineering and successfully fulfills its intended mission. For IFE to become a practical power source, drivers must be designed with the energy mission in mind. It is crucial that IFE drivers, including electromagnetic compression devices, operate at high repetition rates, at low cost, and with acceptable efficiencies. Furthermore, challenges such as mitigating debris, neutron bombardment, sensitivity to vibration and thermal cycling, and ensuring ease of maintenance must be addressed.
Figure 1: OMEGA Laser System - Laboratory for Laser Energetics
Science and Technology Challenges & Gaps
- How can the cost of diode pumps in DPSSL technologies be reduced?
- How can the damage threshold of optics and crystals be increased?
- How can the reliability of high-power switching and capacitor energy storage be improved?
- How can systems for broadband bandwidth generation be designed?
- How can the survivability of final optics at ultra-high intensity be designed and implemented?
- How can low-cost, high-performance accelerator modules be developed?