In a significant breakthrough at Los Alamos National Laboratory, scientists successfully achieved nuclear fusion ignition utilizing an innovative diagnostic tool known as the THOR window system. This experiment, conducted at the National Ignition Facility in collaboration with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, resulted in a fusion energy output of 2.4 megajoules and generated a self-sustaining plasma reaction, marking a pivotal step forward in fusion energy research.
The recent test represented the first operational deployment of the THOR platform, which is designed to produce high-intensity X-rays for studying material responses under extreme radiation conditions. By integrating specially designed windows into the traditional hohlraum—a gold-coated cylinder housing the fusion fuel—researchers enabled some X-rays to escape, thereby facilitating studies on radiation flow and energy absorption while maintaining the conditions necessary for ignition.
This breakthrough confirms the viability of the modified hohlraum design and paves the way for future enhancements aimed at increasing transparency and data collection capabilities. Such advancements could expand the practical app...
Los Alamos Achieves Fusion Ignition Using Innovative THOR Window System
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