Interstellar Propulsion Using Laser-Driven Inertial Confinement Fusion Physics

Abstract

To transport a spacecraft to distances far beyond the solar heliosphere and around the planets of other stars will require advanced space propulsion systems that go beyond the existing technological state of the art. The release of fusion energy from the interaction of two low mass atomic nuclei that are able to overcome the Coulomb barrier offers the potential for ∼1011J/g specific energy release and implies that robotic missions to the nearby stars to distances of ∼5–10 ly may be possible in trip durations of the order of ∼50–100 years, travelling at cruise speeds of the order of ∼0.05–0.15 c. Such missions would be characterised with ∼kN-MN thrust levels, ∼GW-TW jet powers, ∼kW/kg-MW/kg specific powers. One of the innovative methods by which fusion reactions can be ignited is via the impingement of laser beams onto an inertial confinement fusion capsule, imploding it to a thermonuclear state. This paper gives an overview of the physics of inertial confinement fusion and the interaction of a laser beam with a capsule to include the simulation of a 1D particle-in-cell code calculation to illustrate the effects. In the application to deep space missions, various spacecraft concepts from the literature are discussed, and the range of values assumed for the pulse frequency, burn fraction and areal density appropriate for the mission are presented. It is concluded that advanced space propulsion via inertial confinement fusion is a plausible part of our future, provided that experimental validation of ignition is on the horizon and numerical models for feasibility concepts are developed to high fidelity and on a consistent basis.

Chasing nomadic worlds: A new class of deep space missions

“…First, our list is not exhaustive, in the sense that we do not cover every single near-future technology capable of attaining final speeds of order 100 km/s (or more). Second, in a similar vein, we exclude propulsion systems predicated on the likes of antimatter as well as the interstellar ramjet, even though such spacecraft can reach the desired speeds (see [151,152] and [143,Chapter 10]). Our rationale for omitting them stems from the fact that practical implementation of these propulsion systems is arguably unrealistic in the near future even from a purely technical standpoint [153].…”

Study of antiprotons as drivers in inertial confinement fusion by fast ignition method

“…Previous studies have explored the use of antiprotons as drivers for ICF in propulsion systems. Among these studies, the FI method has gained attention as a potential application of antiprotons in ICF, owing to the unique properties of these particles [22][23][24]. Antiprotons could be produced in large quantities using high-energy proton beams from accelerators.…”