Reply To: Computational resources available from the DOE

[asymmetric_implosion]

OK. Devil’s advocate time.

1. Leading fusion researchers reviewed the LPP concept. From a purely technical standpoint this seems like a good idea, but fusion is far from purely technical. All reviewers are proponents of fusion so would they turn down any fusion concept in the experimental stage? This seems unlikely given their budgets are not impacted. Shouldn’t a technically knowledgeable fusion hater be on the panel. If you think they don’t exist, they do.

2. The technical evaluation largely says that none of the key metrics are met and data doesn’t support them. We support this idea because of….our warm fuzzy feeling about fusion?!?

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OK. To be fair:

1. The concept of superior compression with higher Z elements is a pretty common belief with some data supporting it already. I don’t know if anyone has compared this fairly on the same machine, but the literature strongly hints at it. Small DPF machines with high Z gases in small concentrations perform better than machines without high Z gases. This is not fully understood but there is experimental supporting that high Z makes life better.

2. Ions hotter than electrons in a pinch is largely proven. It may not be at the level required by LPP but it is possible.