School of Physics, Engineering and Technology
- School of Physics, Engineering and Technology
- York Plasma Institute
- Research
- Matter at the extremes
- Inertial Confinement Fusion
Inertial Confinement Fusion
Contact person: John Pasley
The National Ignition Facility at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Laser Fusion, usually known as Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF), is one of two major routes to releasing energy by the process of nuclear fusion for energy generation purposes. Nuclear fusion is the process that provides energy for stars in which two light nuclei join (or fuse) together. The initial mass of the two particles which fuse together is greater than the mass of the product. This small difference in mass is converted into energy in accordance with Einstein’s famous relationship E=mc2 and is eventually released to the surroundings, where it can be captured to generate electricity. For further information on Inertial Confinement Fusion, please click here.
