Is 40,000 joules of energy enough for Nuclear fusion?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the question of whether 40,000 joules of energy is sufficient to achieve nuclear fusion, specifically in the context of using the OMEGA laser at the LLE in Rochester. Participants explore the requirements and challenges associated with initiating fusion reactions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the clarity of the original question, asking for specifics about the type of fusion and what the 40,000 joules represents.
  • Another participant suggests that the OMEGA laser could potentially concentrate energy to facilitate fusion, noting that it can direct 40,000 joules through a collaboration of 60 lasers.
  • A different participant highlights the challenge of confining energy in a small volume and mentions the extremely high temperatures required for deuterium-tritium fusion, which is 141 million K.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of using 40,000 joules for fusion, with some acknowledging the potential of the OMEGA laser while others emphasize the significant challenges that remain. The discussion does not reach a consensus on the sufficiency of the energy provided.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the need for additional information regarding the specifics of the fusion process and the energy requirements, which remain unresolved.

UrbanXrisis
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Is 40,000 joules of energy enough for Nuclear fusion?
 
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Is -4 enough to make the sky blue?

You've certainly not given enough information for anyone to make sense out of your question.

Fusion of what? Hydrogen? What does 40,000 joules represent? The average thermal kinetic energy of the particles?

- Warren
 
yeah, sorry about that. I was just wondering if the LLE in rochester could use their OMEGA laser to concentrate two particles and force them to fuse. the OMEGA laser can direct 40,000 joules of energy though a colaboration of 60 lasers.
 
Urban: yes.

The problem is getting that energy into a very small volume and keeping it there.

http://www.nanomedicine.com/NMI/6.3.7.2.htm

The deuterium-tritium (D-T) fusion reaction requires the lowest temperature to ignite -- 141 million K, which is 12.1 KeV or 1.94 x 10-15 joules per nuclei..
 

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