Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: erickejah on 31/05/2009 21:49:45

Title: Are artificial stars theoretically possible?
Post by: erickejah on 31/05/2009 21:49:45

https://lasers.llnl.gov/ (https://lasers.llnl.gov/)
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi452.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fqq242%2Ferickejah%2Fhohlraum_12363.jpg&hash=a7706f66ab2cc28ec9afdbfbc9928e9f)
This artist's rendering shows a NIF target pellet inside a hohlraum capsule with laser beams entering through openings on either end.  The beams compress and heat the target to the necessary conditions for nuclear fusion to occur. Ignition experiments on NIF will be the culmination of more than 30 years of inertial confinement fusion research and development, opening the door to exploration of previously inaccessible physical regimes.

"Credit is given to Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and the Department of Energy under whose auspices this work was performed."

Title: Re: Are artificial stars theoretically possible?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 01/06/2009 00:55:08

I don't know but I hope they don't

Title: Re: Are artificial stars theoretically possible?
Post by: syhprum on 01/06/2009 06:41:43

It is very sad that the main result of this massive effort will be to increase the efficiency of nuclear bombs.

Title: Are artificial stars theoretically possible?
Post by: Soul Surfer on 03/06/2009 09:35:14

This technology is not useful for weapons, the lasers are far too big and exprnsive it might however offer a good source of pollution free energy as an alternative to sunlight and is absolutely essential if it is wished to operate starships.

Title: Are artificial stars theoretically possible?
Post by: JP on 03/06/2009 18:20:47

You can't make a star this way.  Stars are held together by gravity and undergo fusion because of the gravitational pressure.  These types of laser experiments use lasers to provide the necessary temperature and pressure for fusion.  A star will keep fusing on its own until it "burns" off enough mass to stop.  Laser fusion will stop on its own when you turn the lasers off.

Title: Are artificial stars theoretically possible?
Post by: Soul Surfer on 03/06/2009 23:23:25

I agree that it is a rather bad misnomer particularly when discussions of fusion energy have been around for a long time.  I am also not sure that high energy pulses are a good idea when contonuous processes seem almost to be there