Fusion
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Ablation
Ablation is removal of material from the surface of an object by vaporization , chipping, or other erosive processes. Examples of ablative materials are described below and include spacecraft material for ascent and atmospheric reentry , ice and snow in glaciology , biological tissues in medicine , and passive fire protection materials. Ablation near the electrode in a flashtube .
Nuclear Fission Basics
The debate over nuclear power plants has been going on for some time, with nuclear physicists and lawmakers alike throwing around terms like nuclear fission, critical mass, and chain reaction . But how does nuclear fission work, exactly? In the 1930s, scientists discovered that some nuclear reactions can be initiated and controlled.
Compton Scattering
In Compton scattering, an incoming photon of energy E (shown in black) undergoes an elastic collision with a weakly bound (assumed free) outer-shell electron (shown in blue). The electron is scattered with kinetic energy K at an angle j with respect to the x-axis (direction of incoming photon) while the scattered photon of energy E' (shown in green) makes an angle q with respect to the x-axis. Because energy has been given to the scattered electron, the scattered photon will have a lower energy and therefore a longer wavelength than the incident photon.Electrons, photons, and the photo-electric effect
We're now starting to talk about quantum mechanics, the physics of the very small. Planck's constant
New Cold Fusion Evidence Reignites Hot Debate
25 March 2009—On Monday, scientists at the American Chemical Society (ACS) meeting in Salt Lake City announced a series of experimental results that they argue confirms controversial ”cold fusion” claims. Chief among the findings was new evidence presented by U.S. Navy researchers of high-energy neutrons in a now-standard cold fusion experimental setup—electrodes connected to a power source, immersed in a solution containing both palladium and ”heavy water.”The National Ignition Facility, located at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The target assembly for NIF's first integrated ignition experiment is mounted in the cryogenic target positioning system, or cryoTARPOS. The two triangle-shaped arms form a shroud around the cold target to protect it until they open five seconds before a shot.
National Ignition Facility
Energy of the Future: Igniting a Star With Laser Light
LIVERMORE, California – It may look like one of Michael Bay's Transformers, but this mass of machinery could soon be the birthplace of a baby star right here on Earth.
How scientists brought the power of the Sun to Earth « Goodheart's Extreme Science
How scientists brought the power of the Sun to EarthPublications: NIF & Photon Science
February 2011 Photons & Fusion is a monthly review of science and technology at the National Ignition Facility & Photon Science Directorate.The Sun is a natural fusion reactor. Fusion power is the power generated by nuclear fusion processes. In fusion reactions two light atomic nuclei fuse together to form a heavier nucleus (in contrast with fission power ).