Laser fusion – the safe, clean way to produce nuclear energy

www.guardian.co.uk:
A multinational project led by British researchers aims to use a high-power laser to reproduce the physical reaction that occurs at the heart of the sun and every other star in the universe – nuclear fusion. If the project succeeds it has the potential to solve the world energy crisis without destroying the environment.

The scientists admit that a commercial reactor is a long way off, but
they believe the laser approach to producing fusion shows great
promise. The EU is considering a proposal to fund the set-up costs for
a seven-year research project called HiPER – high powered laser energy
research – that would build a working demonstration reactor. Preparing
for the seven-year project alone, which is a collaboration of 11
nations, is expected to cost over €50m (£34m). Actually building the
reactor itself will cost over half a billion euros.
…..
Problems
The biggest challenge will be to build a
powerful enough laser that can fire rapidly enough. The world’s most
powerful lasers need several minutes to reset for a second shot. A
laser fusion reactor will need to fire several times a second.
Scientists will also need to develop materials durable enough for the
laser bombardment.