Beam-catalyzed volumetric ignition of fusion reactions.

Abstract

a reaction chamber configured to contain a fuel target; a compression laser array configured to irradiate the fuel target, thereby compressing the fuel target; an ion acceleration laser array configured to irradiate the fuel target, ionize at least a portion of the fuel target, generate ions, and accelerate the ions through the fuel target, thereby igniting a fusion reaction; and an energy conversion module configured to convert energy released by the fusion reaction into electricity.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Related Applications This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 237260, filed August 26, 2021. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Background of the Invention There are many approaches to fusion energy production being pursued, most of which focus on thermal means of heating the fuel to millions of degrees to achieve ignition. None have been successful in producing a net energy gain. Some of these approaches include hot spot ignition, fast ignition and impact ignition. Some have also used laser technology (nanosecond pulses, referred to herein as long pulse lasers) to achieve the conditions required to achieve a fusion reaction through thermal means such as compressing and heating the fuel to high density. However, none have demonstrated a net energy gain using the most tested fuels, deuterium and tritium (DT).

[0003] Considering that the temperatures required for proton-boron fusion are 10-100 times higher than for the deuterium-tritium (DT) reaction, it is widely accepted in the art that ignition of non-neutron proton-boron reactions on a laboratory scale by purely thermal means is impractical. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Summary of the Invention In one aspect, the invention is a nuclear fusion device that includes a reaction chamber configured to contain a fuel target; a compression laser array configured to irradiate the fuel target, thereby compressing the fuel target; an ion acceleration laser array configured to irradiate the fuel target, ionize at least a portion of the fuel target, generate ions, and accelerate the ions through the fuel target, thereby igniting a nuclear fusion reaction; and an energy conversion module configured to convert energy released by the nuclear fusion reaction into electricity.

[0005] In another exemplary embodiment, the invention is a fusion reaction fuel target comprising at least hydrogen and boron-11 fusion reactant material, the fuel target being spherical, and the fuel target being solid at room temperature.

[0006] In another exemplary embodiment, the invention is a fusion reaction fuel target comprising: a core comprising at least boron-11 and a second fusion reactant material; and a shell encapsulating the core, wherein the fuel target is solid at room temperature.

[0007] In another aspect, the invention is a fusion system comprising any of the fusion devices described herein; and any of the fusion reaction fuel targets described herein disposed within the reaction chamber of the fusion device.

[0008] In another aspect, the invention is a method for producing a nuclear fusion reaction, comprising the steps of irradiating a fuel target contained in a reaction chamber with laser pulses generated by a compression laser array, thereby compressing the fuel target; irradiating the fuel target with laser pulses generated by an ion acceleration laser array, thereby ionizing at least a portion of the fuel target, generating ions, and accelerating the ions through the fuel target, thereby igniting a nuclear fusion reaction; and converting energy released by the nuclear fusion reaction into electricity. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particular description of illustrative embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views, and in which the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating embodiments of the invention. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plot showing an example energy spectrum of laser ion accelerated protons produced by the Texas Petawatt Laser Facility. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the methods described herein. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a plot showing fusion reaction cross sections as a function of particle energy for deuterium-deuterium (DD), deuterium-tritium (DT), and proton-boron-11 (P-B11) reactions. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plot illustrating the beam-catalyzed hybrid pB11 combustion reactivity space. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a plot illustrating the generation of a non-equilibrium fused frame. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plot generated by the same computer simulation used for FIG. 5 of the total fusion yield after a laser pulse of energy 4x1020 W / cm2 across wavelengths of 0.25 μm (1), 0.50 μm (2), and 1 μm (3). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Detailed Description of the Invention A description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention follows.

[0011] Fusion reactions have been achieved using non-thermal means such as proton boron-11, made possible by advances in high peak power laser technology. While most demonstrations have had pulse lengths of picoseconds (referred to herein as short pulse lasers) and less, demonstrations of such results from pulse lengths as high as 10 ns have been observed. These laser pulses allow efficient acceleration of ions to high energies. In the experiments described herein, protons were accelerated to tens of megaelectron volts (MeV), an energy range that is impossible to achieve using thermal means. An example of a laser-ion accelerated proton energy spectrum from one experiment is shown in FIG. 1. These protons were successful in producing many p11B reactions, with 10 Joules (J) generated from an 80 Joule (J) laser pulse. 9 More alpha particles were seen than ever before.

[0012] However, analysis of experimental data has shown that these reactions are produced in the beam fusion regime. The beam fusion reactions alone are not sufficient to produce enough reactions to achieve a net energy gain.

[0013] The devices and methods described herein include a combination of thermal and non-thermal approaches generated by both short and long pulsed lasers, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2. Fuel shaped as a sphere is irradiated by a long pulsed laser (laser / s) to isochorically (i.e., with uniform density) implode the fuel to a near-degenerate high density. A short pulsed laser is then used to accelerate energetic protons from the coronal plasma near the surface of the fuel to produce beam fusion reactions (and other non-thermal reactions from it) in an outer spherical shell whose thickness corresponds to the ion stopping range of the protons. The combination of electron and proton energy deposition augmented by non-thermal beam fusion reactions in this layer ignites a thermonuclear burning wave, which propagates to the core, similar to the "helium flash" of low-mass stars. The conditions created by the combination of both laser and fusion reactions allow for non-equilibrium thermonuclear burning of the fuel, which can achieve a reaction gain at least 10 times greater than the laser pulse energy.

[0014] Unlike alternative schemes such as hot spot ignition, impact ignition and fast ignition, the devices and methods described herein do not initiate fusion combustion exclusively via a thermal mechanism. An important feature of the disclosed devices and methods is that combustion is catalyzed by a non-thermal beam fusion reaction from a high energy ion beam using a short pulsed laser incident on the target. Another feature of this reaction is its application for the proton-boron 11 (p-11B) reaction where the accelerated ion is a proton, and for the deuterium-tritium reaction where the ion is a deuterium.

[0015] In this region, the amplification of fusion reactions on the imploding fuel is due to several important factors: Conditions caused by long pulse lasers: o Implosion of the fuel resulting in compression to several times its solid state density providing a nearly degenerate fusion fuel through which the combustion wave can propagate. Conditions caused by short pulse lasers: Acceleration of many protons (plasma blocks) from ions within the fuel (or within a layer surrounding the fuel) resulting in non-thermal fusion reactions. The ions produced have high kinetic energy and can therefore produce fusion reactions from areas of a more reactive and energetic cross section than would be possible by thermal means. Fast ions are produced by a laser. In the case of the p11B reaction, in-flight fusion reactions also produce energetic alpha particles. Elastic collisions between fast ions and thermal protons in the fuel increase the probability of avalanche multiplication (also known as "lift") of the reaction. ○Beam fusion reaction Directly from the laser (hot electrons) -The stopping of accelerated ions as they move through the fuel. Ignition of the outer fuel layer, which launches a thermonuclear burning wave into the core fuel, and a shock wave when the outer layer acts as an explosive thruster Heating of fuel by Caused by.

[0016] Referring to the cross sections of fusion reactions as a function of energy shown in Figure 3, the energetic ions produced by the short pulse laser produce beam fusion reactions in the region above about 1 MeV, where all cross sections are relatively high. After this ignition, heat producing mechanisms increase the temperature of the fuel to the region where thermal fusion contributes to the burn, about 10 keV for DT fusion or 100 keV for p11B.

[0017] If the reaction rate is proportional to density, the introduction of compression further increases the reaction rate that contributes to combustion.

[0018] In summary, the devices and methods disclosed herein include the following features: a laser fusion device; a fusion target; and a fusion system. The laser fusion device: • A chamber capable of housing a fuel target; • an array of at least two lasers, each laser directing energy to a target location (wherein "array" includes at least two lasers); Arrays of compression lasers - long pulse (nanosecond or less) lasers used to compress the fuel to near Fermi degenerate density; ○ Array of ion acceleration lasers - short pulse lasers that produce beams of high energy (>1MeV) ions. These ions could be either protons, deuterium, boron-11 or He-3; Energy conversion devices for converting the energy released during nuclear fusion from the nuclei produced into electricity Includes. Each laser array may contain many (>10, >100 or even >1000) diode-pumped lasers to achieve the conditions described to reach fusion burn. Diode-pumped lasers may efficiently convert electricity to light. In the case of non-neutron reactions, these systems are practically feasible as the high-energy neutrons generated would otherwise damage the diodes and limit their lifetime. Excimer lasers (also called exciplex lasers, a commonly known form of ultraviolet laser) may also have sufficient efficiency.

[0019] Fusion target materials and structures are envisioned as follows: Near-spherical fuel targets: ○ An outer layer that contains a source of fusion ions such as a polymer or an embedded outer layer. For p11B this contains protons. For the p11B-D3He hybrid region this can contain deuterium or 3He. o Includes a high atomic number layer to enhance acceleration of ions through the fuel and limit thermal conductive and radiative losses from the fuel. Core materials include a mixture of primary fuel with fusion isotopes in a mixture selected to minimize radiation production and maximize catalysis of the fusion reaction: For pB11: Contains 11B and hydrogen; Contains a majority of hydrogen (measured by % by weight) to limit radiative and conductive losses from heat produced by laser interactions and nuclear reactions Contains the appropriate isotope mixture. • The diameter of the sphere is approximately the extent of the ions that are initially laser accelerated in the outer shell.

[0020] Besides containing the fusion fuel, the target is designed to limit radiation production and losses in the fuel through a suitable mixture of fuel isotopes and the use of high atomic number coating materials, which have two characteristics. The first is to facilitate the mechanism of laser ion acceleration to achieve a high number and / or energy of protons accelerated through the fuel. The second is to limit radiation and thermal conduction losses from the heat generated by the laser interaction and the nuclear reactions.

[0021] Thus, in a first exemplary embodiment, the present invention is a nuclear fusion device. In a first aspect of the first exemplary embodiment, the device includes a reaction chamber configured to accommodate a fuel target; a compression laser array configured to irradiate the fuel target, thereby compressing the fuel target; an ion acceleration laser array configured to irradiate the fuel target, ionize at least a portion of the fuel target, generate ions, and accelerate the ions through the fuel target, thereby igniting a nuclear fusion reaction; and an energy conversion module configured to convert energy released by the nuclear fusion reaction into electricity.

[0022] In a second aspect of the first exemplary embodiment, the compressed laser array is configured to emit simultaneous laser pulses having a collective energy of at least 1 kilojoule for a pulse duration of at least 10 nanoseconds. The remaining features and exemplary features of the device are as described above with respect to the first aspect.

[0023] In a third aspect of the first exemplary embodiment, the accelerating laser array is configured to emit simultaneous laser pulses having a collective energy of at least 1 kilojoule for a pulse duration of less than 10 nanoseconds. The remaining features and exemplary features of the device are as described above with respect to the first to second aspects.

[0024] In a fourth aspect of the first exemplary embodiment, the compression laser array includes at least four lasers. The remaining features and exemplary features of the device are as described above with respect to the first through third aspects.

[0025] In a fifth aspect of the first exemplary embodiment, the ion acceleration laser array includes at least four lasers. The remaining features and exemplary features of the device are as described above with respect to the first through fourth aspects.

[0026] In a sixth aspect of the first exemplary embodiment, the accelerating laser array is configured to emit pulses of up to 1 nanosecond. The remaining features and exemplary features of the device are as described above with respect to the first through fifth aspects.

[0027] In a seventh aspect of the first exemplary embodiment, the ion acceleration laser array generates at least one beam at 190 nm to 550 nm. For example, the acceleration laser array may include individual lasers producing wavelengths from 190 to 550 nm. The shortest wavelengths may be generated by discharge-pumped gas excimer lasers operating on electron beams or their fundamental modes: ArF at 193 nm and KrF at 248 nm. Wavelengths of 505 and 353 nm may be generated by diode-pumped solid-state lasers that are frequency doubled or tripled using commercially available potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4, KDP) nonlinear conversion crystals. The remaining features and exemplary features of the device are as described above with respect to the first to sixth aspects.

[0028] In a second exemplary embodiment, the present invention is a fusion reaction fuel target. In a first aspect of the second exemplary embodiment, the fuel target includes at least hydrogen and boron-11 fusion reactant material, the fuel target is spherical, and the fuel target is solid at room temperature.

[0029] In a third exemplary embodiment, the present invention is a fusion reaction fuel target. In a first aspect of the third exemplary embodiment, the fuel target includes a core including at least boron-11 and a second fusion reactant material; and a shell encapsulating the core. The fuel target is solid at room temperature. In an aspect of the third exemplary embodiment, the shell can include at least the third fusion reactant material.

[0030] In a second aspect of either the second exemplary embodiment or the third exemplary embodiment, the fuel target further comprises an additional layer encapsulating the shell, the additional layer comprising a high atomic number (Z) material. The remaining features and exemplary features of the device are as described above with respect to the first aspect.

[0031] In a third aspect of either the second exemplary embodiment or the third exemplary embodiment, the second and third fusion reactant materials are each independently selected from a hydrogen-containing material, a deuterium-containing material, a tritium-containing material, a boron-11-containing material, a helium-3-contianing material, or a lithium-6-containing material. The remaining features and exemplary characteristics of the device are as described above with respect to the first to second aspects of the second or third exemplary embodiment.

[0032] In a fourth aspect of either the second exemplary embodiment or the third exemplary embodiment, the fuel target comprises a high-Z material that is Al, Si, Ti, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Au, Pd, or Pt. The remaining features and exemplary characteristics of the device are as described above with respect to the first through third aspects of the second or third exemplary embodiment.

[0033] In a fifth aspect of either the second exemplary embodiment or the third exemplary embodiment, the fuel target has a characteristic size of about 2.5 micrometers to about 50 millimeters. For example, the fuel target can be approximately spherical with a diameter equal to the characteristic size. The remaining features and exemplary characteristics of the device are as described above with respect to the first through fourth aspects of the second or third exemplary material.

[0034] In a fourth exemplary embodiment, the present invention is a nuclear fusion system. In a first aspect of the fourth exemplary embodiment, the nuclear fusion system includes a nuclear fusion device according to any of the aspects of the first exemplary embodiment; and a nuclear fusion reaction fuel target according to any of the aspects of the second exemplary embodiment or the third exemplary embodiment.

[0035] In a second aspect of the fourth exemplary embodiment, the system provides at least 2 x 10 ionization per kilojoule of energy delivered by a combination of a pulse of the compression laser array and a pulse of the ion acceleration laser array. 16 The device is configured to generate alpha particles of

[0036] In a third aspect of the fourth exemplary embodiment, the fusion reaction fuel target is non-cryogenic. As used herein, "non-cryogenic" refers to a temperature of 20 K or greater.

[0037] In a fifth exemplary embodiment, the invention is a method for producing a nuclear fusion reaction. In a first aspect of the fourth exemplary embodiment, the method includes: irradiating a fuel target contained in a reaction chamber with laser pulses generated by a compression laser array, thereby compressing the fuel target; irradiating the fuel target with laser pulses generated by an ion acceleration laser array, thereby ionizing at least a portion of the fuel target, generating ions, and accelerating the ions through the fuel target, thereby igniting a nuclear fusion reaction; and converting energy released by the nuclear fusion reaction into electricity.

[0038] In a second aspect of the fifth exemplary embodiment, the compressed laser array is configured to emit simultaneous laser pulses having a collective energy of at least 1 kilojoule for a pulse duration of at least 10 nanoseconds. The remaining features and exemplary features of the device are as described above with respect to the first aspect.

[0039] In a third aspect of the fifth exemplary embodiment, the accelerating laser array is configured to emit simultaneous laser pulses having a collective energy of at least 1 kilojoule for a pulse duration of less than 10 nanoseconds. The remaining features and exemplary features of the device are as described above with respect to the first to second aspects.

[0040] In a fourth aspect of the fifth exemplary embodiment, the accelerating laser array is configured to emit pulses of up to 1 nanosecond. The remaining features and exemplary features of the device are as described above with respect to the first through third aspects.

[0041] In a fifth aspect of the fifth exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises compressing the fuel target to at least twice its room temperature density. The remaining features and exemplary features of the device are as described above with respect to the first through fourth aspects.

[0042] In a sixth aspect of the fifth exemplary embodiment, the ion acceleration laser array produces at least one beam at 190 nm to 550 nm. The remaining features and exemplary features of the device are as described above with respect to the first to fifth aspects. EXAMPLES

[0043] Working Example Computer simulation modeling of the proton-boron-11 reaction was performed and the results are shown in Figures 5 and 6.

[0044] The data shown in these figures was generated by computer simulation using the Chicago code from Voss Scientific (available at https: / / www.vosssci.com / products / chicago / chicago.html). These simulations were performed in 1-D (axial) geometry with boundary conditions symmetric at .01 cm. The plasma had a flow rate of 6.3x10 per cubic centimeter. 22 At density of H 1+ and B. 11 +5 The plasma was charged with a 50:50 mixture of 0.25 μm wavelength and 1x10 20 W / cm 2 A laser with an intensity of 1 ps pulse was applied. The simulation included Bremsstrahlung radiation losses. The Chicago hybrid algorithm was used such that all particles started with a dynamical description and the dynamical electrons were transitioned to a fluid description after the laser was turned off. All energy exchange interactions between particles were included, including those with α resulting from fusion.

[0045] Figure 5 shows the 1x10 20 W / cm 2 Plot produced by simulation using Chicago Code showing the creation of a non-equilibrium fusion flame that propagated approximately 70 um into a boron-hydrogen target approximately 4.5 ps after application of an intense laser pulse of . The electron (3) to proton temperature (1) ratio is 0.2, indicating non-equilibrium fusion burn. The simulation also shows that the boron (2) and electron temperatures (3) reach equilibrium, and that the fusion flame has an 80 keV proton peak with 16 keV electrons such that fusion energy production exceeds radiative losses. The impulse propagates at 10000 km / s (.03 c) and lasts for 15 ps at the target for these parameters. The non-equilibrium thermonuclear flame is indicated by the peak from the black line (ion temperature) to the electron temperature (red line) between approximately X = 0.006-0.009 cm.

[0046] Figure 6 shows the energy distribution of 4x10 over wavelengths of 0.25 μm (1), 0.50 μm (2) and 1 μm (3). 20 W / cm 2 FIG. 6 is a plot produced by the same computer simulation used for FIG. 5 of the total fusion yield after 1000 s laser pulses. The figure shows that the 1 micron laser produces negligible fusion burn, while the 0.25 and 0.5 micron lasers produce approximately the same level of fusion burn from the propagating fusion flame. The data in FIG. 6 shows that 600 nm or less represents the optimal wavelength at which fusion yield is maximized. These wavelengths can be achieved using excimer lasers or nonlinear conversion of the primary laser wavelength, which only works to reduce the wavelength and is a well-established approach.

[0047] In exemplary embodiments, the present invention can be understood with reference to the following numbered embodiments:

[0048] 1. A nuclear fusion device comprising: a reaction chamber configured to contain a fuel target; a compression laser array configured to irradiate the fuel target, thereby compressing the fuel target; an ion acceleration laser array configured to irradiate the fuel target, ionize at least a portion of the fuel target, generate ions, and accelerate the ions through the fuel target, thereby igniting a nuclear fusion reaction; and an energy conversion module configured to convert energy released by the nuclear fusion reaction into electricity.

[0049] 2. The device of embodiment 1, wherein the compression laser array is configured to emit simultaneous laser pulses having a collective energy of at least 1 kilojoule for a pulse duration of at least 10 nanoseconds.

[0050] 3. The device of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the accelerating laser array is configured to emit simultaneous laser pulses having a collective energy of at least 1 kilojoule for a pulse duration of less than 10 nanoseconds.

[0051] 4. The device of any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the compression laser array comprises at least four lasers.

[0052] 5. The device of any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the ion acceleration laser array comprises at least four lasers.

[0053] 6. The device of any one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein the accelerating laser array is configured to emit pulses of up to 1 nanosecond.

[0054] 7. A fusion reactor fuel target comprising: a core comprising at least a first and a second fusion reactant material; and a shell enclosing the core, the shell comprising at least a third fusion reactant material.

[0055] 8. The fuel target of embodiment 7, further comprising an additional layer encapsulating the shell, the additional layer comprising a high atomic number (Z) material.

[0056] 9. The fuel target of embodiment 7 or 8, wherein the first, second, and third fusion reactant materials are each independently selected from a hydrogen-containing material, a deuterium-containing material, a tritium-containing material, a boron-11-containing material, a helium-3-contianing material, or a lithium-6-containing material.

[0057] 10. The fuel target of any one of aspects 8-10, wherein the high-Z material is Al, Si, Ti, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Au, Pd or Pt.

[0058] 11. The fuel target of any one of aspects 7 to 10, having a characteristic size of about 2.5 micrometers to about 50 millimeters.

[0059] 12. A nuclear fusion system comprising: a nuclear fusion device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6; and a nuclear fusion reaction fuel target according to any one of embodiments 7 to 11 disposed within a reaction chamber of the nuclear fusion device.

[0060] 13. At least 2 x 10 per kilojoule of energy delivered by the combination of the compression laser array pulse and the ion acceleration laser array pulse. 16 13. The system of embodiment 12, configured to generate alpha particles of

[0061] 14. A method for producing a nuclear fusion reaction, comprising the steps of irradiating a fuel target contained in a reaction chamber with laser pulses generated by a compression laser array, thereby compressing the fuel target; irradiating the fuel target with laser pulses generated by an ion acceleration laser array, thereby ionizing at least a portion of the fuel target, generating ions, and accelerating the ions through the fuel target, thereby igniting a nuclear fusion reaction; and converting energy released by the nuclear fusion reaction into electricity.

[0062] 15. The method of embodiment 14, wherein the compression laser array is configured to emit simultaneous laser pulses having a collective energy of at least 1 kilojoule for a pulse duration of at least 10 nanoseconds.

[0063] 16. The method of embodiment 14 or 15, wherein the accelerating laser array is configured to emit simultaneous laser pulses having a collective energy of at least 1 kilojoule over a pulse duration of less than 10 nanoseconds.

[0064] 17. The method of any one of embodiments 14-16, wherein the accelerating laser array is configured to emit pulses of up to 1 nanosecond.

[0065] 18. The method of any one of aspects 14-17, further comprising compressing the fuel target to at least twice its room temperature density.

[0066] The teachings of all patents, published applications and references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0067] While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to illustrative embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.

Claims

1. a reaction chamber configured to contain a fuel target; a compression laser array including at least four long pulse lasers configured to irradiate the fuel target, thereby compressing the fuel target; an ion acceleration laser array including at least four short pulse lasers configured to irradiate the fuel target, ionize at least a portion of the fuel target, generate ions, and accelerate the ions through the fuel target, thereby igniting a nuclear fusion reaction; and an energy conversion module configured to convert the energy released by the nuclear fusion reaction into electricity; , a nuclear fusion device.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the compressed laser array is configured to emit simultaneous laser pulses having a collective energy of at least 1 kilojoule for a pulse duration of at least 10 nanoseconds.

3. 3. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the accelerating laser array is configured to emit simultaneous laser pulses having a collective energy of at least 1 kilojoule for a pulse duration of at most 1 nanosecond.

4. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the ion acceleration laser array generates at least one beam at 190 nm to 550 nm.

5. 1. A fusion reactor fuel target comprising at least hydrogen and boron-11 fusion reactant materials, the fuel target is spherical; A nuclear fusion reaction fuel target, wherein the fuel target is solid at room temperature.

6. a core comprising at least boron-11 and a second fusion reactant material; and Contains a shell that encapsulates the core 1. A fusion reaction fuel target comprising: A nuclear fusion reaction fuel target, wherein the fuel target is solid at room temperature.

7. The fuel target of claim 6 , wherein the shell comprises at least a third fusion reactant material.

8. The fuel target of any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising a further layer encapsulating the shell, the further layer comprising a high atomic number (Z) material.

9. 8. The fuel target of claim 7, wherein the second and third fusion reactant materials are each independently selected from a hydrogen-containing material, a deuterium-containing material, a tritium-containing material, a boron-11-containing material, a helium-3-containing material, or a lithium-6-containing material.

10. 9. The fuel target of claim 8, wherein the high-Z material is Al, Si, Ti, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Au, Pd, or Pt.

11. The fuel target of any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the fuel target has a characteristic size of about 2.5 micrometers to about 50 millimeters.

12. The nuclear fusion device according to claim 1 or 2; and The nuclear fusion reaction fuel target according to any one of claims 5 to 7, which is disposed in a reaction chamber of a nuclear fusion device.

1. A nuclear fusion system comprising: optionally, said system configured to produce at least 2 x 10 16 alpha particles per kilojoule of energy delivered by a combination of a compression laser array pulse and an ion acceleration laser array pulse.

13. irradiating a fuel target contained within a reaction chamber with laser pulses generated by a compression laser array including at least four long pulse lasers, thereby compressing the fuel target; irradiating the fuel target with laser pulses generated by an ion acceleration laser array including at least four short pulse lasers, thereby ionizing at least a portion of the fuel target, generating ions, and accelerating the ions through the fuel target, thereby igniting a nuclear fusion reaction; and The process of converting the energy released by nuclear fusion reactions into electricity 1. A method for producing a nuclear fusion reaction, comprising:

14. the compressed laser array is configured to emit simultaneous laser pulses having a collective energy of at least 1 kilojoule for a pulse duration of at least 10 nanoseconds; and / or the accelerating laser array is configured to emit simultaneous laser pulses having a collective energy of at least 1 kilojoule for a pulse duration of at most 1 nanosecond; 14. The method of claim 13.

15. The method of any of claims 13-14, further comprising compressing the fuel target to at least twice its room temperature density.

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