Applications of laser fusion: feasibility and systems studies

Feasibility and systems studies are being performed to analyze the technical feasibility and economic incentives of various commercial and military applications of laser fusion. The direct production of electricity in central-station power plants is of major concern. The general objectives of these studies are: the conceptualization and preliminary engineering assessment of laser-fusion reactors and generating stations; the development of parametric computer models of power-plant subsystems for economic and technology tradeoff and comparison studies; and the identification of problems requiring long-term development. Alternative commercial applications of laser fusion to produce fuel for fission reactors and as sources of high-temperature process heat are also being investigated