July 25, 2023
HB11 Energy is pursuing a laser-driven inertial fusion energy (IFE) power plant to realize large-scale electricity generation from the fusion of hydrogen with boron-11. If proton-boron fusion can be realized, there are many engineering benefits over traditional deuterium-tritium (DT) fusion that will result in the production of a dramatically simpler and safer reactor. However, proton-born fusion reactions require higher temperatures than DT, so the challenge is to identify how big the lasers need to be to burn this fuel. The goal of this INFUSE project is to partner with the University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics to use their state-of-the-art tools to simulate the proton fast ignition of proton-boron fuels and determine what laser power and energies are required for practical energy production. The resulting target designs will also guide HB11’s target fabrication efforts. Further, detailed information on the lasers and targets will improve the accuracy of power plant design and costing models.