Fast ignition

Fast ignition is a method of achieving nuclear fusion, where instead of gradually heating fuel to extremely high temperatures, a small, intense laser or particle beam is used to rapidly trigger the fusion process. First, a fuel pellet containing fusion fuel (like deuterium and tritium) is compressed and heated softly. Then, a focused, powerful burst delivers a quick, high-energy blast to a specific point, creating the necessary conditions for fusion to occur almost instantaneously. This approach aims to make fusion energy more efficient by reducing energy loss and the time needed to initiate reactions.