Future for Inertial Fusion Energy in Europe: A roadmap

The recent achievements at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) in the USA consisting in reaching ignition of fusion reactions with laser-driven technologies set a historic milestone in fusion energy research by demonstrating inertial fusion using lasers as a viable approach for future energy production. Europe has a unique opportunity to empower research in this field at the international level, and the scientific community is eager to engage in this journey. We propose establishing a program on Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) in Europe, with the missions to demonstrate ignition of fusion reactions with a laser and to develop pathway technologies to the commercial fusion reactor. In this seminar, I will present a roadmap for this program developed by the initiative group of 15 European scientists. It comprised of four complementary axes: i) the physics of laser plasma interaction and burning plasmas, ii) the high energy high repetition rate laser technology, iii) the fusion reactor technology and materials and iv) the reinforcement of the laser-fusion community by international education, training programs, collaboration with research centers, industry and private companies, and the establishment of joined activities with the private sector involved in laser-fusion. Along with high level of societal importance this project aims to stimulate a broad range of high profile industrial developments in laser and plasma technologies.