10MJ to 2MJ: NIF and the background behind the justifications and margin for the current design.
Many formerly at the lab have described a series of events that ultimately led to the current 2MJ design. From what was known at the time, 10MJ was the energy needed. That kind of energy is easy to deliver using high explosives, for example. But I'm confused as to how a much lower energy delivered by a method (laser) untested could be justified as having sufficient margins. Does 10MJ provide overly massive margins for ignition? Does anyone have open literature references for better explaining the decisions and events leading to the current design?
Many formerly at the lab have described a series of events that ultimately led to the current 2MJ design. From what was known at the time, 10MJ was the energy needed. That kind of energy is easy to deliver using high explosives, for example. But I'm confused as to how a much lower energy delivered by a method (laser) untested could be justified as having sufficient margins. Does 10MJ provide overly massive margins for ignition? Does anyone have open literature references for better explaining the decisions and events leading to the current design?
Comments
Comparing apples to angels.
He also does not understand national security. The reasons for selecting the design parameters for thermonuclear ignition are necessarily a verboten topic.
Will not be much to discuss in this thread. Those who know, can't. Those who don't know, can. Either way, no knowledge,
How's the weather at Lop Nor this time of year?
Gung ho fat choi
Your argument that a 10MJ facility was part of a conceptual design predates 1994. My memory begins in 1994 with 2.4MJ, which is readily achievable with the current facility if the main amps glass and cap banks are filled out. A significant, but concievable upgrade, though probably not worthwhile. Advancements will come in the short term through target design and in the longer term with new codes, drivers or preignitors.
As for the "guarantee of ignition".
I doubt whether the program has made such a guarantee. More likely the claims were weaker, using the qualifiers appropriate to such a large undertaking.
What your real issue is, isn't 20 year old conceptual designs, its that your favorite undertaking has been set aside while the country concentrates on this one.
Mistakes made? Regularly. Sour grapes? 20-year old vinegar.
The citizens problem in a democracy is that there are soooo many other citizens.
No pun intended