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Even a 100x fusion gain wouldn't make the NIF net power producer, because last time I checked the lasers produce ~99% heat and <1% coherent light. The relevant
by crest 4y ago
Even a 100x fusion gain wouldn't make the NIF net power producer, because last time I checked the lasers produce ~99% heat and <1% coherent light. The relevant metric is the ratio of energy input into the facility vs its output.
- BawsMcGee 4y agoNIF was never intended to produce net power output. It's a research facility. The latest result is a major milestone demonstrating that net energy gain is achievable. LLNL, and other labs, are developing diode-pumped laser systems which are closer to 25% efficient, rather than 1%, and can operate at the high repetition rate required for power production. That means the reaction would only need a gain of 4, rather than 100, to generate net power.
- boringg 4y agoCouldn't you use waste heat recovery to recoup some of the lost heat from lasers? I haven't ever ventured down that route and a I don't know the scale of heat here or quality of it. Think combined cycle gas plants. I recognize totally different tech but offering ways to get some value back.