A new analysis published by Photonics21 highlights the critical role photonics plays in developing fusion power. Called ‘Photonics for the Energy Production Market: Focus on Fusion Energy,’ the report reveals that light technologies are vital for advancing future clean energy sources and are key to enabling critical processes necessary for fusion power.

Fusion power involves combining two light atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus and requires temperatures of around 100 million degrees Celsius with immense pressures to overcome the repulsive forces between the positively charged nuclei.

This latest research, conducted by French market intelligence group Tematys, shows that while fusion energy is an extremely complex endeavour, photonics – or the science of generating and harnessing light – is essential for developing the high-precision components required for fusion reactors.

According to the report, powerful lasers, which are essential for initiating fusion reactions in inertial confinement fusion, are used to mimic the conditions inside stars by compressing and heating fuel pellets. The report shows that photonics is also a viable option for controlling fusion plasmas with great precision and managing the extreme temperatures involved in fusion reactions.

Photonics21 president Dr Lutz Aschke said: “We see that lasers and optical technologies have the potential to turn the science fiction dream of limitless fusion power into a reality. We are already optimizing and expanding renewable energy sources using photonics today, such as advanced thermographic cameras that detect faults in electrical systems, lidar technologies that enhance wind turbine efficiency and lasers for improved photovoltaic cells. This cutting-edge science and technology has the power to make what once seemed impossible – clean, sustainable power for all – into a tangible goal.”

According to the study, photonic technologies like lidar, optical sensors, and high-precision imaging will be crucial for monitoring and controlling the extreme conditions within fusion power plants, which will ensure the stability and efficiency of the fusion process.

The report discusses a number of fusion approaches, where photonics is essential for manufacturing complex components and the high-precision assembly for these reactors, including magnetic confinement in tokamaks and stellarators.

The report reveals that no matter what the fusion approach, and even when the confinement is magnetic or electrostatic, no fusion reactors can work without photonics as a critical enabler.