A new role for infrared lasers

Aside from plasma diagnostics, the use of lasers in connection with controlled fusion has centered around two schemes: (1) ignition of a solid pellet by a Nd-glass or CO2 laser, and (2) heating of a gaseous plasma (produced by a theta-pinch or by the laser itself) by a CO2 laser. Development of a powerful far-infrared laser such as the HCN laser, may make possible a third application: (3) plasma stabilization in conventional confinement devices. (U.K.)