The mere mention of 10,000 suns inside a laser may bring up thoughts of immense solar power captured within a laser. However, when 10,000 suns in a laser is mentioned in terms of fusion, it refers to the intense energy density and pressure generated thanks to an inertial confinement fusion (ICF) experiment. The 10,000 suns inside a laser signifies a brief but powerful energy burst whereby atoms are crushed together so intensely that they fuse and release more energy than that required to start the reaction. Xcimer Energy Cooperation has stepped in to give fusion a new shot with its inertial confinement fusion approach.
The Xcimer fusion approach is provoking a new era
A new era after coal and hydrogen may come to be all thanks to Xcimer Energy Cooperation’s fusion approach. This approach works to remedy the limitations in the field of inertial confinement fusion, such as inefficiency and laser cost. What Xcimer Energy Cooperation is proposing is the use of two lasers, whereby other systems like the National Ignition Facility (NIF) uses 192 tightly focused laser beams. For the process, Simulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) is used to deliver energy at its peak within 3 nanoseconds.
The approach put forward by Xcimer Energy Cooperation is one that also addresses the issue of non-uniformity across the beam front. By lowering the non-uniformity across the beam front, issues pertaining to fusion failure are addressed. A recent achievement enjoyed by Xcimer Energy Cooperation was that of the longest Krypton Flouride (KrF) excimer laser pulse that resulted when the Xcimer long-pulse kinetics (LPK) platform laser was used.
Placing core focus on inertial confinement fusion
Xcimer Energy Cooperation is looking at going bigger, where those in the magnetic confiment fusion (MCF) sphere are looking to go smaller. The company is thinking big as they plan for larger fuel pellets and broader laser apertures. Overall stability is on offer.
Xcimer Energy Cooperation is going down the larger targets route, as these larger targets are less sensitive to imperfections in the laser beam. Furthermore, a larger beam reduces the risk of damage. The company is also looking to go down a more cost-effective pathway to commercial fusion.
Xcimer Energy Cooperation’s 10,000 suns inside a laser pathway
Xcimer Energy Cooperation is looking to take concept to the grid and in being more forceful, the company is showing increasing credibility.
The trajectory that the company is set to follow will be:
- 2026- Phoenix Demo whereby the company will demonstrate successful SBS pulse compressions using the long pulse kinetic laser (LPK), that had been developed with support from the Department of Energy.
- 2030- Vulcan Breakeven System is one where the Vulcan reactor will fire 4 megajoules of laser energy at a select target with the goal of generating 10 MJ of fusion energy.
- 2035- Prototype Fusion Power Plant will produce grid-scale electricity while simultaneously integrating a molten salt blanket to allow for thermal energy conversion. The system will thus be self-sustaining and best for long-term operation.
The trajectory put forward by Xcimer Energy Cooperation shows that the company is not only hard at work moving towards the dream of fusion. The company is showing that a practical path to fusion can be delivered. However, we may have to wait some time before all electricity can be powered by fusion fire. While Xcimer Energy Cooperation was founded in Denver, Colorado, and looks to deliver electrcity to America’s grid, a huge laser project is set to master global energy and this time China has come too far with fusion.
Will Xcimer Energy deliver on its target of $40 per MWh?
Inertial fusion confinement is what has led Xcimer Energy to set the target of $40 per megawatt-hour (MWh); however, inertial fusion confinement is also the reason for the challenge. To overcome challenges, a commercial fusion plant is deemed necessary. The construction costs predicted for a working commercial fusion plant is $ 3 billion, which is about half the price of a nuclear-powered, laser-filled diamond sphere meant for nuclear fusion. Xcimer Energy, if successful, will create a new era for sustainable energy.
