An ignition criterion for inertial fusion boosted by microturbulence
Abstract
Turbulence on fine spatial scales enhances fusion reactivity, enabling ignition at lower temperature. A modified Lawson-like ignition criterion is derived for inertially confined plasmas harboring turbulent kinetic energy. For some turbulent energy spectra, hot spots ignite at lower energy density and smaller volume. While detrimental mixing effects typically accompany turbulence and obscure these advantages, targets might be engineered to drive flow in regions where it is beneficial. The optimal length scale for this driving is identified, typically lying in the micrometer range.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Laser-Plasma Interactions and Diagnostics
Magnetic confinement fusion research
Fusion and Plasma Physics Studies
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Physics of Plasmas
- Publisher
- AIP Publishing
- Volume
- 33
- Issue
- 2
- Publication date
- 1 February 2026
- Language
- EN