Lawson criterion for ignition exceeded in an inertial fusion experiment
File(s)Abu_Shawareb_PhysRevLett.129.075001.pdf (2.64 MB)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
For more than half a century, researchers around the world have been engaged in attempts to achieve fusion ignition as a proof of principle of various fusion concepts. Following the Lawson criterion, an ignited plasma is one where the fusion heating power is high enough to overcome all the physical processes that cool the fusion plasma, creating a positive thermodynamic feedback loop with rapidly increasing temperature. In inertially confined fusion, ignition is a state where the fusion plasma can begin "burn propagation" into surrounding cold fuel, enabling the possibility of high energy gain. While "scientific breakeven" (i.e., unity target gain) has not yet been achieved (here target gain is 0.72, 1.37 MJ of fusion for 1.92 MJ of laser energy), this Letter reports the first controlled fusion experiment, using laser indirect drive, on the National Ignition Facility to produce capsule gain (here 5.8) and reach ignition by nine different formulations of the Lawson criterion.
Date Issued
2022-08-12
Date Acceptance
2022-07-06
Citation
Physical Review Letters, 2022, 129 (7)
ISSN
0031-9007
Publisher
American Physical Society
Journal / Book Title
Physical Review Letters
Volume
129
Issue
7
Copyright Statement
© 2022 American Physical Society.
Sponsor
AWE Plc
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
U.S Department of Energy
U.S Department of Energy
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36018710
Grant Number
30469588
B640100
B643873
SUB00000024/GR530167
Subcontract No B648336
Subjects
Indirect Drive ICF Collaboration
General Physics
01 Mathematical Sciences
02 Physical Sciences
09 Engineering
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
United States
Article Number
ARTN 075001
Date Publish Online
2022-08-08