How X-rays Compress Matter for Nuclear Fusion

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X-rays are utilized to compress nuclear fuel for fusion reactions through a process involving radiation pressure, where the momentum of photons exerts force on matter. Although photons lack charge, they can still impart momentum, causing the outer layer of the fuel to absorb energy and transform into a high-temperature plasma. This plasma expands rapidly, resulting in an inward force that compresses the remaining fuel, creating conditions necessary for fusion. The National Ignition Facility (NIF) employs this method by converting UV light to X-rays to achieve a more uniform illumination. This implosion effect is critical for reaching fusion breakeven conditions.
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I read on Wikipedia that x-rays are sometimes used to compress nuclear fuel to initiate fusion reactions. This is probably a stupid question, but how can electromagnetic radiation compress matter?
 
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I found this article explaining it, kind of. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiation_pressure

I still don't understand it, though. A force is needed for compression, and forces work because of repulsion (e.g., electrostatic repulsion when a hand squeezes a tennis ball.) But photons don't have any type of charge for a repulsion?
 
The simplest way to understand it is to assume all the light (of any frequency) is instantly absorbed by the outer layer of matter. This would then instantly flash into a high temp plasma, rocketing radially outwards at very high speed. Momentum conservation requires what is left of the capsule to move in the opposite direction, or radially inwards toward the center. This implosion effect is what they will do with NIF to create conditions suitable for fusion breakeven. The NIF's light (UV) is converted to x-rays to make the illumination more uniform.
 

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