Scientists have worked out how to ' see ' where energy is delivered during fast fusion , a process where hundreds of particles are used to compress a small amount of fusion fuel inside a plastic capsule , before a high - intensity laser is delivered that ignites the fuel . Scientists used cameras inside the capsule so that once the laser beam hit the liquid fuel , X - ray emissions were given off allowing them to analyse the flow of energy . The images allow the scientists to work on new techniques to improve the delivery of energy by up to 100 times the compressed fuel target inside the plastic capsule . The breakthrough opens the possibility of achieving limitless clean energy from nuclear fusion .
Scientists have worked out how to 'see' where energy is delivered during fast ignition, a process where hundreds of lasers are used to compress a small amount of fusion fuel inside a plastic capsule, before a high-intensity laser is delivered that ignites the fuel. Scientists used copper inside the capsule so that once the laser beam hit the compressed fuel, X-ray emissions were given off allowing them to analyse the flow of energy. The images allow the scientists to work on new techniques to improve the delivery of energy by up to four times the compressed fuel target inside the plastic capsule. The breakthrough increases the possibility of achieving limitless clean energy from nuclear fusion.