Fusion energy problem

1985/12/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Fisika
• Energia

Nuclear fusion energy is, for many, a source of energy of the future. However, to this day it poses serious technical problems. The most important of them is the onset or ignition of the reaction.

To launch the reaction, for the deuterium and tritium atoms to begin to give fusion to each other, a huge energy is needed. This energy, once the process is underway, is recovered in excess. But the problem is there, how to create that energy that will start the process? Some paths have been proposed, one of them is the laser.

To analyze the viability of this method, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory of California has built the most powerful laser in the world. It is called Nova and costs $176 million.

Studies are to begin with and the future will tell us if this huge investment has been profitable.