Fusion tests set at new Livermore facility
The celebration in a heavily guarded section of the Lawrence Livermore lab marked the fact that research and tests are about to start at the new $3.5 billion National Ignition Facility, or NIF. It will be an unprecedented, years-long physics experiment, and the outcome is by no means certain.
It's purpose is to focus the immense energy in an array of 120 laser beams onto a tiny glass target the size of a BB shot, which is filled with hydrogen. This is all done under immensely high pressure to make the target heat like the fiery interior of a star at a 180 million degrees Fahrenheit.
Bruno Vanwonterghem, operations manager
for the National Ignition Facility, stands in front of the target chamber.
for the National Ignition Facility, stands in front of the target chamber.
No comments:
Post a Comment