Reactor implications of laser-ignited fusion

Abstract

Some technological and economic aspects of a super-high density inertially-confined laser-ignited thermonuclear reactor are discussed. Consideration of the economics of the system shows the importance of minimizing circulating power by using efficient lasers (ηℓ ≃ 0.15 to 0.3) and achieving a high burn-up in the compressed core. The importance of a high repetition rate (f ≃ 50 Hz) to permit an adequate margin in the capital cost of laser components is demonstrated. An estimate of typical costs for a 530 MW(e) deuterium-tritium fuelled system which might compete with a fast fission reactor is presented. Economic operation of a pure deuterium fuelled system is shown to be much more difficult to achieve. Some physical factors which might affect the thermonuclear gain but which are not included in published computer predictions are discussed, including relativistic effects and topological problems which arise if the incident radiation is polarized.