“Achievement of Target Gain Larger than Unity in an Inertial Fusion Experiment” (2024), by H. Abu-Shawareb et al. Physics and Astronomy research paper. Original abstract below, unchanged. A free PDF is available.

Achievement of Target Gain Larger than Unity in an Inertial Fusion Experiment

H. Abu-Shawareb, Robert L. Acree, P. A. Adams et al. · February 5, 2024 · Physics and Astronomy

Abstract

On December 5, 2022, an indirect drive fusion implosion on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) achieved a target gain G_target of 1.5. This is the first laboratory demonstration of exceeding "scientific breakeven" (or G_target>1) where 2.05 MJ of 351 nm laser light produced 3.1 MJ of total fusion yield, a result which significantly exceeds the Lawson criterion for fusion ignition as reported in a previous NIF implosion [H. Abu-Shawareb et al. (Indirect Drive ICF Collaboration), Phys. Rev. Lett. 129, 075001 (2022)PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.129.075001]. This achievement is the culmination of more than five decades of research and gives proof that laboratory fusion, based on fundamental physics principles, is possible. This Letter reports on the target, laser, design, and experimental advancements that led to this result.

Free PDF DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.132.065102