Theory of laser-assisted nuclear fusion

Abstract: The process of nuclear fusion in the presence of a laser field is analyzed theoretically. The analysis is applicable to most fusion reactions and different kinds of currently available intense lasers, from X-ray free electron lasers to solid-state near-infrared lasers. Laser fields are shown to enhance the fusion yields and the mechanism of the enhancement is explained. Low-frequency lasers are shown to be more efficient in enhancing fusion than high-frequency lasers. Calculation results show enhancements of fusion yields by orders of magnitude with currently available intense low-frequency laser fields. The temperature requirement of controlled nuclear fusion may be reduced with the aid of intense laser fields.