Ultrafast laser architectures for quantum control of nuclear fusion

TL;DR

This paper explores innovative ultrafast laser architectures designed to control nuclear fusion at the quantum level, aiming to enhance tunneling and reactive capture, with potential implications for power generation.

Contribution

It introduces a new class of ultrafast laser architectures that solve the Schrödinger equation for quantum control of nuclear fusion, building on prior patents and theoretical frameworks.

Findings

Discovery of laser architectures that realize quantum solutions for fusion control

Conditions outlined for potential net electrical power production

Alignment with existing quantum control and fusion theories

Abstract

Quantum control of nuclear fusion involves engineering quantum coherences in a nuclear wavepacket to accelerate tunneling through the Coulomb barrier and modifying the analytic structure of the $\textit{S}$-matrix to facilitate long-range reactive capture. We present a three-body fusion reaction which is amenable to quantum control. The main result of the present inquiry is the discovery of an embodied class of ultrafast laser architectures [Levitt $\textit{et al.}$, U.S. Patent Application No. 17/855,476 (2022)] which realize solutions to the Schr\"odinger equation in a logically consistent manner as to that presented in [Saha $\textit{et al.}$, Mol. Phys. $\textbf{110}$, 9-10 (2012)]. Further, we provide some necessary (but not necessarily sufficient) conditions for net electrical power production using the optical designs here.