How Much Energy Can the NIF Laser Produce in One Shot?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion highlights the significance of upcoming ignition testing for fusion reactors, scheduled for 2010, which aims to focus an unprecedented 500 trillion watts of energy on a small capsule containing deuterium and tritium fuel. The National Ignition Facility (NIF) has already achieved remarkable milestones, producing 25 times more energy than any other laser system and generating energy equivalent to 10,000 100-watt light bulbs, totaling one megajoule. There is a noted frustration regarding the public's understanding of energy units, specifically the difference between kilowatts (kWs) and kilowatt-hours (kW-Hrs), indicating a need for better communication about energy concepts in local news reporting.
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/20090408/sc_space/friendlydeathstarlasertorecreatesunspower
 
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Wish them good luck, we really need to have working fusion reactors in our lifetimes.
 
Serious ignition testing scheduled for 2010 would focus 500 trillion watts of energy on the pea-sized capsule containing deuterium and tritium fuel. NIF has already produced 25 times more energy than any other existing laser system, and also became the first fusion laser facility to create the equivalent energy of 10,000 100-watt light bulbs, or one megajoule.

Hmm...

Ivan Seeking said:
I swear I would fall over if a local news agency ever grasped the difference between kWs, and kW-Hrs.

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=304666
 

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