CENTRAL STATION POWER GENERATION BY LASER-DRIVEN FUSION.

Abstract The feasibility of using laser-driven fusion pulses for the commercial generation of electric power was investigated. The present paper discusses the general aspects of electric power plants based on laser-driven fusion energy sources, outlines the considerations that led to the wetted-wall concept on which the present study is based, presents detailed results of calculations that indicate the feasibility of the concept, discusses aspects of important areas that are not well defined, summarizes related needs for further study, and compares the concept with plants based on magnetically confined controlled thermonuclear reactions.