Would it be feasible to make a chemical inertial confinement reactor?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the feasibility of using chemical lasers for inertial confinement fusion (ICF) reactors, exploring the potential advantages and challenges of this approach compared to traditional laser systems. Participants examine the technical requirements for effective fusion, including pulse duration and intensity, and consider the implications of using chemical lasers in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that chemical lasers could provide high power output for fusion applications, but others question their suitability for generating the extremely short, high-intensity pulses required for effective fusion.
  • There is a repeated emphasis on the need for extremely short pulses that can be focused on a tiny target, with some participants arguing that chemical lasers may not be capable of achieving this.
  • One participant mentions the development of chemical lasers for anti-missile systems in the UK, suggesting potential applications outside of fusion.
  • Concerns are raised about how to create femtosecond (fs) pulses with chemical lasers, with questions about whether longer pressurization of the pellet might yield better results.
  • Participants discuss the importance of pulse shaping in ICF systems, with references to specific pages in an external document that detail current research on optimizing laser pulse characteristics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the viability of chemical lasers for ICF, with no consensus reached on their effectiveness or the best design approaches. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the technical challenges and potential solutions.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations related to the need for specific pulse characteristics and the complexities of laser pulse shaping, which may not be achievable with a single-stage chemical laser system. The discussion also references external sources for further information on ICF.

askingask
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So basically, instead of using large complex pumped lasers, we use chemical lasers that have insane power output. They are used to fuse a fusion pellet. The excess energy is collected and part of it is used to prepare the next batch of chemicals needed to run the laser. What would be the problems with that design and how could you design it better.
 
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askingask said:
insane
Does that answer your question?
 
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You need extremely short high intensity pulses that can be focused on a tiny target. Chemical lasers are not a good choice for that.
 
mfb said:
You need extremely short high intensity pulses that can be focused on a tiny target. Chemical lasers are not a good choice for that.
Are chemical lasers not known for their high power output?
 
Vanadium 50 said:
Does that answer your question?
🫠
 
askingask said:
Are chemical lasers not known for their high power output?

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berkeman said:
View attachment 353111


I remember reading an article about how the UK is developing chemical lasers as anti missile systems
 
  • #10
askingask said:
Why do you need fs pulses? Would pressurizing the pellet over a longer time period not give better results?
Did you read the information in the ICF link I provided?
 
  • #11
berkeman said:
Did you read the information in the ICF link I provided?
I skimmed the text. Can you provide the page that you are talking about , it contains around 70 pages 😄
 
  • #12
askingask said:
I skimmed the text. Can you provide the page that you are talking about , it contains around 70 pages 😄
See pp. 59-60 for a short discussion about laser pulse shaping. They are experimenting with different pulse shapes to optimize the implosion and ignition of the target.

So it looks like the current ICF systems need the optical amplification to not just increase the pulse power, but to also shape the final pulse at the target. I don't think you can do all of that in a single stage chemical laser...
 
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