This process involves using powerful lasers to heat and compress a small target containing deuterium and tritium, isotopes of hydrogen. The intense heat and pressure cause the target to implode, forcing the atomic nuclei to fuse and release a large amount of energy. This mimics the processes occurring in the sun and other stars. A typical target might be a small, hollow sphere filled with a mixture of deuterium and tritium gas, often encased in a plastic or metal shell.
As a potential clean energy source, this approach offers the promise of abundant and sustainable power generation with minimal environmental impact compared to traditional fossil fuels. Its development has been a major scientific and engineering undertaking spanning decades, driven by the prospect of addressing global energy demands while mitigating climate change. Achieving a self-sustaining reaction, where the energy output exceeds the energy input, remains a key objective of ongoing research.
