Laser fusion power plants are seen as a possible solution for climate-neutral energy generation in the future. In order to meet the extreme requirements of this technology, the development of highly reflective and thermally stable mirror systems is necessary. In the SHARP research project (“Scalable Highpower Reflectors for Petawatts”), industry and science are working together on new production technologies for these mirrors. The project is being funded with 8.4 million euros by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and has a total volume of 10.4 million euros.
The aim of the project is to develop large-area, internally cooled high-performance mirrors that can be used in laser-driven fusion reactors. These mirrors must not only offer optical quality at the highest level, but must also integrate effective thermal management in order to withstand thermal loads over the long term.
“The SHARP project should lead to new manufacturing technologies that enable large-area mirrors with novel properties,” explains Dr. Yakup Gönüllü from SCHOTT. “These high-performance mirrors represent an indispensable contribution to the realization of commercial laser fusion power plants in reliable continuous operation.”
A central aspect of the project is the thermal stabilization of the mirrors. Previous developments have not sufficiently taken into account the influence of heat-related deformation on optical performance. The new mirrors are therefore to be thermomechanically stabilized using integrated cooling systems and optimized coatings.
“The challenge is that the laser mirrors have to withstand extreme loads over a long period of time,” explains Dr. Nadja Felde, the responsible project coordinator at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF in Jena. “The main aspect of this research project is therefore understanding and controlling the thermal properties of large-area mirror systems in design and production while maintaining reflectivity at the highest level.”
Prof. Dr. Thomas Höche from the Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS in Halle (Saale) adds: “Beyond laser fusion, the targeted developments have great potential for applications in other future markets, especially for high-power laser applications and laser material processing, but also in space travel and especially for the next generation of substrates and coatings for EUV lithography. ”
Laser fusion is based on the fusion of atomic nuclei, as occurs in the sun. High-power lasers are used to heat a fuel capsule to extreme temperatures. The resulting forces are in the range of several petawatts, which requires highly specialized optical components. The mirror technologies developed in the SHARP project are intended to contribute to the commercialization of laser fusion.
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