These are all valid comments, but I would add that NIF was not designed for efficiency. Its primary purpose is as a research facility. Also, its laser technology is essentially 30 years old by now. Lasers have come a long way since then, and diode-pumped systems are significantly more efficient.
Getting break even in the sense of energy in vs energy out is a big deal, because this demonstrates scientific feasibility. There is no reason to think that this can’t be scaled or optimized. In fact only 2 years ago, peak yields were of order 150 kJ, so in that time the performance went up by ~20x.
This result has been compared to the Wright brother‘s demonstration of flight. And I think that comparison is appropriate. The first few flights were “only” 100 ft or so, which isn’t particularly useful, right? But it was the implication of that demonstration that changed the world. I really think the demonstration of the NIF results could have the same impact.
regrettinglastweek t1_j0d4s7h wrote
Reply to comment by TouchCommercial5022 in Nuclear fusion breakthrough: A physicist answers three vital questions by FarmhouseFan
These are all valid comments, but I would add that NIF was not designed for efficiency. Its primary purpose is as a research facility. Also, its laser technology is essentially 30 years old by now. Lasers have come a long way since then, and diode-pumped systems are significantly more efficient.
Getting break even in the sense of energy in vs energy out is a big deal, because this demonstrates scientific feasibility. There is no reason to think that this can’t be scaled or optimized. In fact only 2 years ago, peak yields were of order 150 kJ, so in that time the performance went up by ~20x.
This result has been compared to the Wright brother‘s demonstration of flight. And I think that comparison is appropriate. The first few flights were “only” 100 ft or so, which isn’t particularly useful, right? But it was the implication of that demonstration that changed the world. I really think the demonstration of the NIF results could have the same impact.