Bochum 1998 – scientific programme

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HK: Hadronen und Kerne

HK 45: Plenar

HK 45.2: Talk

Wednesday, March 18, 1998, 12:15–13:00, P

Perspectives of Inertial Fusion — •I. Hofmann — GSI Darmstadt

The construction of large experiments to demonstrate thermonuclear fusion by inertial confinement has recently been started in the United States (Livermore) and in France (Bordeaux). In the field of targets an important parallel development has been the step-wise declassification of the physics related to energy research since a few years. With respect to energy production a major conceptual advantage of inertial fusion as compared with magnetic fusion is the possibility of using a liquid ”first wall” for reactor material protection.

Experiments related to inertial fusion also offer interesting perspectives for fundamental research in the field of hot, dense plasmas of relevance to astrophysics. Using femtosecond lasers a new chapter in light-matter interaction has recently been opened under the term of ”fast igniter” studies. Adding a new dimension to this rapidly expanding field by means of intense heavy ion beams is a subject presently investigated at GSI. A significant performance improvement of current GSI experiments is expected for 1999 with completion of the intensity upgrade. The longer-term prospects of this field in the context of future GSI plans are outlined.