[News & Analysis] Energy: Laser Fusion Shots Take Step Toward Ignition

The National Ignition Facility (NIF), a troubled laser fusion lab in California, has finally produced some results fusion scientists can get enthusiastic about. In a series of experiments last year, NIF researchers produced yields of energy 10 times greater than achieved before and demonstrated the phenomenon of self-heating that will be crucial if fusion is to reach its ultimate goal of "ignition"—a self-sustaining reaction that produces more energy than it consumes.
Author: Daniel Clery

Source: Science: This Week - February 14, 2014 Category: Science Authors: Daniel Clery Tags: Energy Source Type: research