面向聚变能源的激光束靶耦合研究进展

Research progress on laser beam–target coupling for fusion energy

  • 摘要: 2022年以来,美国国家点火装置已累计11次实现可控热核聚变点火,验证了激光聚变能源的科学可行性,并由此引发世界聚变能源商业化的新一轮热潮。当前世界各大国正在全力攻关聚变技术,以实现重复频率的高增益聚变,保持能量稳定输出。高效激光束靶耦合是迈向重复频率高增益聚变的一个关键难题,其挑战主要来源于三个方面:高增益聚变物理设计、动态束靶耦合技术及重复频率放能靶室环境影响。本文将系统总结面向激光聚变能源的激光束靶耦合研究进展,并探讨未来的研究思路。

     

    Abstract: Since 2022, the U.S. National Ignition Facility has achieved controlled thermonuclear fusion ignition eleven times, confirming the scientific feasibility of laser inertial fusion energy (IFE). This has spurred global efforts toward high-repetition-rate, high-gain fusion. Efficient laser-target coupling is critical but faces three challenges: high-gain target fusion physics design, dynamic beam-target coupling technology, and the environmental impact of high-repetition-rate energy release in the target chamber. This paper systematically reviews worldwide research progress focused on efficient beam-target coupling for commercial fusion energy. First, it discusses direct-drive target optimization, broadband laser technologies and laser-plasma instability suppression to raise fusion energy gain close to the hundredfold threshold required for power generation. Second, it summarizes international engineering demonstrations of flying pellet injection, high-speed optical tracking and closed-loop laser steering, comparing milestone achievements from the U.S., Japan, and emerging non-contact superconducting target delivery schemes. Third, it analyzes how repeated neutron, X-ray and ion radiation deteriorates the first wall and generates aerosol/gas disturbances that disrupt laser propagation and cryogenic target survival, evaluating dry-wall, buffer gas, wetted wall, and thick liquid wall mitigation strategies. Future directions include integrated multiphysics modeling, machine-learning-enhanced control, novel injection methods, and experimental studies on aerosol-laser interactions and chamber recovery. These challenges are expected to be resolved within 5-10 years, paving the way to commercial IFE.

     

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