4 ms·
The main problem is that -- especially with laser fusion-- you are not inputting 1 unit of electricity and getting out 1.2 units of high grade heat. You are in
by sacred_numbers 4y ago
The main problem is that -- especially with laser fusion-- you are not inputting 1 unit of electricity and getting out 1.2 units of high grade heat. You are inputting 100 units of electricity, most of which is lost as low grade heat through wires, cooling devices, etc to power a laser that outputs 1 unit of photons. The fusion adds a bit of energy, but not enough to surpass the 100 units you put in. I don't know the exact efficiency of these lasers, so 100x may be wrong, but I think I'm in the right order of magnitude.
- im3w1l 4y agoAh that makes sense. I had no idea the lasers were that inefficient. Still it's not an inherent feature of the problem. But maybe getting the fusion reaction to self-sustain is the easier thing to solve.
- nine_k 4y agoLasers are likely 10% efficient, not 1%, but it's still an order of magnitude less than needed to break even.
- fsh 4y agoThe laser at NIF has a 0.5% efficiency [1]. Some lasers are highly efficient (for example diode lasers). High-energy pulsed lasers are usually not. [1] https://physics.aps.org/articles/v14/168 https://physics.aps.org/articles/v14/168