Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft

Nuclear fusion: energy from the sun

Nuclear fusion offers huge potential for a new, sustainable energy source. Industrialized countries in particular need future-proof solutions for additional energy supplies that can provide baseload power and complement the energy mix of the future in a carbon-neutral way. There have been remarkable scientific breakthroughs in recent years with the world’s first ignition of a burning plasma in laser-driven inertial confinement fusion and significant progress in magnetic confinement fusion.

In order to advance research in a targeted and market-driven manner, close and early collaboration between science and industry is essential. Fraunhofer combines basic research with industrial application. It develops key technologies for fusion power plants that could also be relevant to other industries, opening up new markets. These include high-power short-pulse lasers, optical technologies, additive manufacturing and materials science. This lowers production costs and may also reduce the costs of nuclear fusion.

Video Nuclear fusion

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      Insights into Fraunhofer research

       

      © Fraunhofer IOF

      Antireflection solutions for inertial fusion

      For future laser fusion power plants to be able to operate efficiently and reliably, laser technologies need to be adapted to extreme requirements. In the nanoAR research project, Fraunhofer institutes are working on structural antireflection solutions and on methods of reducing subsurface damage to the optical components used in this type of fusion.

       

      © Fraunhofer ILT

      High-performance laser diodes as key component

      The goal of the DioHELIOS project is to take laser-based inertial fusion to a commercializable level. Researchers are developing new approaches for customized pump modules for laser-based fusion power plants. Fraunhofer ILT is working on the design and optimization of the diode laser bars.

       

      © shutterstock

      Commercial use of inertial fusion

      For commercially usable fusion power plants, it is necessary to develop a number of key technologies to the point of readiness for application. The PriFUSIO project was launched to study photonic key components for laser-based fusion and harness them for industrial uses.

       

      © Fraunhofer IAF

      Basic technologies for laser-based inertial fusion

      The Fraunhofer IAF is teaming up with partners to embark on research into what are known as targets, which constitute a key component of laser-based inertial fusion. Together, they are identifying suitable materials and processes for functional and cost-effective scalable production and characterization of targets. These targets are a key technology on the way to the laser-based fusion power plant of the future.

       

      © Fraunhofer IOF

      High-performance mirrors for laser fusion

      Highly reflective and thermally stable mirror systems will be crucial to future fusion power plants, where they will be used to transport laser light from the beam source to the tiny sphere of fuel. The new SHARP research project is working to develop novel high-performance mirrors for this purpose.