Editor's Challenge in Fusion Plasma Physics: Next-Generation Powerhouse Using Lasers

In the field of nuclear physics, fusion reactions stand at the opposite end of the spectrum compared to fission reactions, yet they both serve the same purpose. Currently, our limited reserves of fossil and fissile materials are being depleted rapidly, leaving us with no sustainable options to meet current and future energy demands. While renewable energy sources have made significant advancements in recent decades, energy-intensive industries and modern infrastructures require a supply chain capable of generating gigawatt-level power, which in principle, seems viable only by harnessing in a controlled way the energy from nuclear fusion. The challenge is not to trigger fusion, but it is to achieve higher energy output compared to the wall-plug energy required at the start to initialize the burn.

There are two main approaches used by the fusion community to deliver a high-gain device. The first method is by confining the fuel plasma with a magnetic field, which is called Magnetic Confinement Fusion (MCF). The second method is called Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF), which involves using powerful lasers to compress the fuel plasma inertially to a density comparable to that that exists in stellar cores. Both approaches have made significant progress and are getting closer to achieving their goals. This issue will focus on the success and grand challenges associated with laser-driven powerhouses, particularly in light of the recent highlights from the National Ignition Facility (NIF), USA, achieving breakeven condition. In addition to the indirect drive approach pursued by the NIF, various alternative strategies are being explored not only by the ICF community but also through large-scale capital ventures in public-private partnerships.

We, therefore, cordially invite critical, ambitious, and courageous contributions in response to the Editor’s challenge on laser-driven powerhouses. As a general guideline, the issue will include, but not be limited to, the following topics.

- Scientific challenges – Indirect drive fusion, direct driven fusion, shock ignition fusion, ion driven fusion, alternative fusion reactions, high energy density physics, and associated instabilities, modeling of ICF plasma.

- Technical challenges – diagnostics and measurement techniques

- Engineering challenges – Laser, high-rep operation, target fabrication, conceptual reactor designs

The Specialty Chief Editors of Frontiers in Physics launch a new series of Research Topics to highlight current challenges across the field of Physics. Other titles in the series are:
Editor's Challenge in Radiation Detectors and Imaging: Emerging Technologies
Editor's Challenge in Social Physics: Misinformation and Cooperation
Editor's Challenge in Social Physics: Higher-Order Interactions
Editor's Challenge in Atomic and Molecular Physics: Applications and Advances in Fundamental Physics
Editor's Challenge in Interdisciplinary Physics: What is Interdisciplinary Physics?
Editor's Challenge in Quantum Engineering and Technology: Economic Impact and Perspectives of Quantum Technologies
Editor’s Challenge in Soft Matter Physics: Where Is Soft Matter Physics Going?
Editor's Challenge in Optics and Photonics: Advancing Electronics with Photonics
Editor’s Challenge in High Energy and Astroparticle Physics: Is The W Mass Anomaly Real?
Editor’s Challenge in Low-Temperature Plasma Physics: Atmospheric Pressure Nonequilibrium Plasma

Keywords: lasers, nuclear physics, fusion reactions, nuclear fusion, magnetic confinement fusion, inertial confinement fusion, laser-driven powerhouses, fusion plasma physics

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.