Using Lasers to Create Fusion and Save the World

Explore the cutting-edge world of laser-driven fusion energy in this 52-minute lecture by physicist Kate Lancaster. Delve into the fundamentals of laser technology, from its initial dismissal as a "solution looking for a problem" to its revolutionary applications today. Discover how scientists are harnessing ultra-intense lasers to recreate the sun's energy source, potentially providing clean and inexhaustible power for the future. Learn about the basics of laser operation, plasma physics, inertial confinement fusion, and the challenges of achieving ignition. Gain insights into major research facilities like the National Ignition Facility and their role in advancing fusion science. Address common questions about atomic behavior, energy efficiency, space applications, and the comparison between fusion and fission. Understand the potential impact of fusion energy on our world and the exciting possibilities it holds for sustainable power generation.

Introduction
Lasers
What is light
What is a laser
Coherence
Monochromatic light
Directional light
Focusable
The most intense laser
What is a high power laser
What can we do with lasers
The bad news
What is fusion
How do we create fusion
Fusion energy
Plasma
Inertial confinement
ablation
targets
Ignition
National Ignition Facility
Star Trek Into the Darkness
The National Ignition Facility
Questions
Do atoms get larger when excited
What is causing the energy dropoff
Could a laser cause an asteroid to change course
Does fusion create more energy than fission
Will there be the same levels of waste
The future of fusion