Challenges on the Path to Ignition

One of the major hurdles in developing fusion energy is reaching a state known as ignition, where the energy output exceeds the energy input required to maintain the reaction. While stars achieve this through immense gravitational pressure, replicating this process on Earth proves complex, requiring innovative technologies such as powerful lasers or magnetic fields. In 2022, significant progress was made at the U.S. National Ignition Facility, where scientists successfully created ignition using advanced laser technology. Although this milestone is a step forward, the quest for a stable, self-sustaining fusion reactor remains ongoing, with researchers aiming to make this clean energy source more feasible in the future.