Perspectives on Inertial fusion energy-Opportunities and Challenges

Mike Campbell

Director of the Laboratory for Laser Energetics
University of Rochester

Seminar Information

Seminar Series
Energy: Joint Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Dept & Center for Energy Research

Seminar Date - Time
May 25, 2022, 11:00 am
-
12:15

Seminar Location
Hybrid: In Person & Zoom (connection in link below)

Engineering Building Unit 2 (EBU2)
Room 584

Seminar Recording Available: Please contact seminar coordinator, Jake Blair at (j1blair@eng.ucsd.edu)

Mike Campbell

Abstract

The need to decarbonize central power production and the recent demonstration of 1.35 MJ of fusion yield from an x-ray driven capsule that absorbed 225 kJ of thermal x-rays has renewed interest in Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE). The presentation will both summarize the present state of ICF research and the challenges and opportunities for a program focused on IFE.

Speaker Bio

Dr. Campbell is an internationally known expert in inertial fusion, high-energy-density physics, high-power lasers and their applications, and advanced energy technologies including Generation IV nuclear fission reactors and biofuels. He has won numerous awards including the Department of Energy’s E. O. Lawrence Award, the American Nuclear Society’s Edward Teller Award, the American Physical Society’s John Dawson Award, the Department of Energy’s Excellence in Weapons Research Award, and the Leadership Award of Fusion Power Associates. He is a Fellow of the Optical Society of America, American Physical Society, and the European Institute of Physics. He has published over 200 articles in scientific journals and holds five patents including the design of the first laboratory x-ray laser. He has given numerous invited and plenary talks at both national and international conferences. He is the originator of the Inertial Fusion Science and Applications Conference.

Dr. Campbell has been a member of numerous committees providing advice and strategy, including the Department of Defense, Missile Defense Agency, National Academy of Sciences, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Berkeley National Laboratory, University of Texas, the National Research Council of Canada, Missile Defense Agency, and Lockheed Martin Corporation. He served on the Board of Evans and Sutherland Corporation and has worked in various scientific and leadership positions at both federal laboratories and the private sector including Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, General Atomics, Logos Technologies, and Sandia National Laboratories. He has received his degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, and the University of Western Sydney.