FPN08-35
European Interest in Inertial Fusion Rises
July 7, 2008
Although the French nuclear weapons program is building a laser facility
(LMJ) comparable to the U.S. National Ignition Facility (NIF), European
civilian energy officials have limited their interest in inertial fusion to
maintaining a "watching brief." As inertial fusion ignition in NIF and
possibly LMJ nears, and in recognition of growing worldwide interest in the
concept of "fast ignition" (see, e.g.,
FPNs 05-21 and
06-34),
momentum is building for the possible construction in Europe of a laser
facility called "HiPER" which would combine a "long-pulse" 200 kJ
compression laser and a 70 kJ "short-pulse" laser for fast ignition.
A 2-year design study of HiPER has recently been completed by a group of
scientists from about a dozen European countries under the direction of
Mike Dunn of the UK's Rutherford Laboratory. The conclusions of this study
were deemed sufficient to include HiPER in the European roadmap for future
large-scale science facilities. A 3-year "preparatory phase" project is now
planned, aimed at preparing for an additional 3-year 'detailed definition
and design phase" leading to possible construction start in 2014.
Details of the HiPER project are posted at
http://www.hiper-laser.org/