Novel X-ray imaging technique resolves fusion-related nanofoams in 3D

Scientists develop X-ray imaging method to study fusion plasmas

A breakthrough in fusion energy research

A team of scientists has developed a new X-ray imaging technique that allows them to see inside fusion plasmas in unprecedented detail. This breakthrough could help scientists to better understand the physics of fusion and make it a more viable source of energy.

Fusion is the process of combining two atoms into one, releasing a tremendous amount of energy. This is the process that powers the sun and the stars, and it is the same process that scientists are trying to harness for use on Earth.

One of the challenges of fusion research is that the plasmas used in fusion reactions are extremely hot and dense. This makes it difficult to study them using traditional methods.

The new X-ray imaging technique developed by the scientists uses a unique type of X-ray source called a free-electron laser. This laser produces very short, powerful pulses of X-rays that can penetrate dense plasmas and provide high-resolution images.

The scientists used the new imaging technique to study fusion plasmas in a tokamak, which is a type of fusion reactor. They were able to see inside the plasma and resolve nanofoams, which are small bubbles filled with gas. These nanofoams are thought to play a role in the stability of fusion plasmas.

The new imaging technique could help scientists to better understand the physics of fusion and make it a more viable source of energy. It could also be used to study other extreme environments, such as the interior of stars and the surfaces of planets.