Astronomy Domine: advancing science with a burning plasma
File(s)astronomy_domine_final.pdf (1001.98 KB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Rose, SJ
Hatfield, PW
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) is a subject that has been studied for decades, because of its potential for clean energy generation. Although thermonuclear fusion has been achieved, the energy out has always been considerably less than the energy in, so high energy gain with a burning thermonuclear plasma is still some way off. A multitude of new science has come from the ICF programme that is relevant outside the field (typically in astrophysics). What we look at in this text is what new science can come from the much more extreme conditions that would be created in the laboratory if a burning ICF plasma could be created -- in terms of energy density the most extreme macroscopic environment ever created. We show that this could impact science from particle physics through astrophysics and on to cosmology. We also believe that the experiments that we propose here are only a small part of the science that will be opened up when a burning thermonuclear plasma is created in the laboratory.
Date Issued
2021-08-17
Online Publication Date
2022-08-16T23:01:29Z
Date Acceptance
2021-07-16
Citation
Contemporary Physics, 2021, 62 (1), pp.14-23
ISSN
0010-7514
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Start Page
14
End Page
23
Journal / Book Title
Contemporary Physics
Volume
62
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Contemporary Physics on 17 August 2021, available online: https://doi.org/10.1080/00107514.2021.1959097
Identifier
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00107514.2021.1959097
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Physics
ICF
astrophysics
cosmology
laser science
X-RAY SOURCES
SPECTRAL DISTORTIONS
THERMALIZATION
ABSORPTION
IGNITION
DENSITY
OPACITY
PHYSICS
Fluids & Plasmas
01 Mathematical Sciences
02 Physical Sciences
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2021-08-17