Can Sandia's Z-Beamlet Laser Make Nuclear Fusion a Reality?

[hellraiser]

http://www.livescience.com/technology/060308_sandia_z.html

If what they are saying is true, then does this mean that nuclear fusion will be possible. I remember reading in my books that the only problems the guys (physicsts ) were facing was attaining a high temperature. So is it really going to be possible or not?
If not what uses can we put this discovery to?

 

[russ_watters]

Short answer, probably not. Discussion here:

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=113684

 

[Architeuthis Dux]

The article discusses a new laser technology being developed at Sandia National Laboratories that could potentially lead to advancements in nuclear fusion research. This technology, known as "Z-Beamlet," could potentially generate temperatures of over 3 million degrees Celsius, which is necessary for nuclear fusion reactions to occur. However, it is important to note that this technology is still in the early stages of development and further research and testing is needed before it can be applied to nuclear fusion experiments.

If this technology proves to be successful in generating the required temperatures for nuclear fusion, it could have significant implications for the future of energy production. Nuclear fusion is a clean and nearly limitless source of energy, and if harnessed, it could potentially solve many of our current energy challenges. However, as mentioned before, more research and testing is needed before this technology can be applied to practical use.

In the meantime, this discovery could also have other potential uses in fields such as materials science and astrophysics. The ability to create and control extreme temperatures could lead to advancements in understanding the behavior of materials under extreme conditions, as well as studying the processes that occur in stars and other celestial bodies.

Overall, this discovery is an exciting development in the field of nuclear fusion research, but it is important to approach it with caution and continue to conduct further research and testing before making any definitive conclusions about its potential uses.