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dzza
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Quick question. Are physicists and engineers who work on designing fusion reactors generally well versed in both inertial confinement fusion and magnetic confinement fusion, or are they two separate subfields altogether.
I agree with Tide - a nuclear engineer studying fusion should be versed in both approaches.dzza said:Quick question. Are physicists and engineers who work on designing fusion reactors generally well versed in both inertial confinement fusion and magnetic confinement fusion, or are they two separate subfields altogether.
Astronuc,Astronuc said:Morbius has posted some good links to LLNL's program on ICF, but here is another tutorial on ICF - http://www.nuc.berkeley.edu/thyd/icf/IFE.html
dzza said:Quick question. Are physicists and engineers who work on designing fusion reactors generally well versed in both inertial confinement fusion and magnetic confinement fusion, or are they two separate subfields altogether.
Fusion is the process of combining two atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy in the process. It is important because it is the same process that powers the sun and stars, and has the potential to provide a nearly limitless source of clean energy on Earth.
Inertial confinement fusion involves using powerful lasers or particle beams to compress and heat a small pellet of fuel, causing it to undergo fusion. Magnetic confinement fusion, on the other hand, uses magnetic fields to contain and heat a plasma of fuel, such as in a tokamak or stellarator.
One of the main challenges in achieving fusion is creating and sustaining the extreme temperatures and pressures necessary for the fusion reaction to occur. Scientists are working on improving the efficiency and stability of fusion devices, as well as finding ways to control and harness the energy produced.
Fusion energy has the potential to provide a nearly limitless source of clean energy, with no greenhouse gas emissions or long-term radioactive waste. It could also help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and contribute to a more sustainable energy future.
There is no definitive timeline for when fusion energy will become a reality, as there are still many technical and engineering challenges to overcome. However, there are several large-scale international projects currently in progress, such as ITER and the National Ignition Facility, that are making significant progress towards achieving fusion energy.