Fusion energy using avalanche increased boron reactions for block-ignition by ultrahigh power picosecond laser pulses

AbstractExceptionally high reaction gains of hydrogen protons measured with the boron isotope 11 are compared with other fusion reactions. This is leading to the conclusion that secondary avalanche reactions are happening and confirming the results of high-gain, neutron-free, clean, safe, low-cost, and long-term available energy. The essential basis is the unusual non-thermal block-ignition scheme with picosecond laser pulses of extremely high powers above the petawatt range.

Download Full-text

Computations for nonlinear force driven plasma blocks by picosecond laser pulses for fusion

Journal of Plasma Physics ◽

10.1017/s0022377804002983 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 71 (1) ◽

pp. 35-51 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Y. CANG ◽

F. OSMAN ◽

H. HORA ◽

J. ZHANG ◽

J. BADZIAK ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Picosecond Laser ◽

Laser Pulses ◽

High Gain ◽

Skin Depth ◽

Laser Fusion ◽

Fusion Reactions ◽

Picosecond Laser Pulses ◽

Nonlinear Force ◽

Ion Emission ◽

Hydrodynamic Code

The concept of the fast ignitor for laser fusion has led to some modifications in applying petawatt-picosecond (PW-ps) laser-produced high intensity particle beams to ignite deuterium-tritium (DT) fuel. Some very anomalous measurements of ion emission from targets irradiated by picosecond laser pulses led to the development of a skin depth interaction scheme where a defined control of prepulses is necessary. Based on these experimental facts, we have applied a one-dimensional two-fluid hydrodynamic code to understand how the nonlinear ponderomotive force generates two plasma blocks, one moving against the laser light (ablation) and the other moving into the target. This compressed block produces an ion current density of above 10$^{11}$ A cm$^{-2}$ and an ion energy of about 100 keV. This may be a rather promising option to use PW-ps laser pulses for igniting fusion in solid density DT fuel, realizing very high gain controlled fusion reactions.

Download Full-text

Fusion energy using avalanche increased boron reactions for block-ignition by ultrahigh power picosecond laser pulses—ERRATUM

Laser and Particle Beams ◽

10.1017/s0263034615000750 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 33 (4) ◽

pp. 773-773

Author(s):

Heinrich Hora ◽

Georg Korn ◽

Lorenzo Giuffrida ◽

Daniele Margarone ◽

Antonino Picciotto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fusion Energy ◽

Picosecond Laser ◽

Laser Pulses ◽

Picosecond Laser Pulses

Download Full-text

Characteristics of rapidly recombining plasmas suitable for high-gain X-ray laser action

Laser and Particle Beams ◽

10.1017/s0263034600009770 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 71-79 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

J. Zhang ◽

M.H. Key ◽

P.A. Norreys ◽

C. Danson ◽

D. Neely ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Laser Action ◽

Picosecond Laser ◽

Laser Pulses ◽

High Gain ◽

X Ray ◽

Picosecond Laser Pulses

Recombining plasmas produced by picosecond laser pulses are characterized by measuring ratio of intensities of resonance lines of H- and He-like ions in the plasmas. It is found that the rapidly recombining plasmas produced by picosecond laser pulses are suitable for highgain operation.

Download Full-text

Electric field probing by picosecond laser pulses

Electronics Letters ◽

10.1049/el:19920716 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 28 (12) ◽

pp. 1137 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A. Krotkus ◽

V. Pašiškevičius

Keyword(s):

Electric Field ◽

Picosecond Laser ◽

Laser Pulses ◽

Picosecond Laser Pulses

Download Full-text

Alternative Laser Driven Fusion Reactions for Nuclear Energy Without Radioactivity

18th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering: Volume 6 ◽

10.1115/icone18-29945 ◽

2010 ◽

Author(s):

Mahmoud Ghoranneviss ◽

Babak Malekynia ◽

Nader Azizi ◽

Henrich Hora ◽

George H. Miley

Keyword(s):

Nuclear Energy ◽

Ponderomotive Force ◽

Fusion Energy ◽

Contrast Ratio ◽

Laser Pulses ◽

State Density ◽

Helium Isotope ◽

Fusion Reactions ◽

Solid Density ◽

Radioactive Radiation

Following the first result of generating nuclear fusion energy without dangerous radioactive radiation by laser ignition of the proton-11Boron reaction (HB11), we applied this method to evaluate other fusion reactions with no primary neutron production as the proton-7Lithium reaction (HLi7) and of the burning of solid density helium isotope 3He (He3-He3). The new method is a combination of now available laser pulses of 10 petawatt (PW) power and duration in the range of picoseconds (ps) or less. The new mechanism follows the initial theory of Chu and of Bobin for side-on ignition of solid state density fusion fuel developed in about 1972 where some later known physics phenomena had to be added. The essential innovation is the use of the discovery of a predicted anomaly when the mentioned laser pulses are sufficiently clean, i.e. free from prepulses by at least a contrast ratio 108 where acceleration by the nonlinear (ponderomotive) force is dominating.

Download Full-text