ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Division Spotlight
Aerospace Nuclear Science & Technology
Organized to promote the advancement of knowledge in the use of nuclear science and technologies in the aerospace application. Specialized nuclear-based technologies and applications are needed to advance the state-of-the-art in aerospace design, engineering and operations to explore planetary bodies in our solar system and beyond, plus enhance the safety of air travel, especially high speed air travel. Areas of interest will include but are not limited to the creation of nuclear-based power and propulsion systems, multifunctional materials to protect humans and electronic components from atmospheric, space, and nuclear power system radiation, human factor strategies for the safety and reliable operation of nuclear power and propulsion plants by non-specialized personnel and more.
Meeting Spotlight
Conference on Nuclear Training and Education: A Biennial International Forum (CONTE 2025)
February 3–6, 2025
Amelia Island, FL|Omni Amelia Island Resort
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
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Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
Christmas Night
Twas the night before Christmas when all through the houseNo electrons were flowing through even my mouse.
All devices were plugged in by the chimney with careWith the hope that St. Nikola Tesla would share.
M. H. Key, R. R. Freeman, S. P. Hatchett, A. J. MacKinnon, P. K. Patel, R. A. Snavely, R. B. Stephens
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 49 | Number 3 | April 2006 | Pages 440-452
Technical Paper | Fast Ignition | doi.org/10.13182/FST06-A1160
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Fast ignition by a laser-generated, ballistically focused proton plasma jet is a more recently proposed alternative to the original concept of fast ignition by a laser-generated beam of relativistic electrons. It has potential advantages in less-complex energy transport into dense plasma but has been investigated only at a preliminary level. Recent successful target heating experiments motivate further investigation of its feasibility. The concept and requirements, the characteristics of the proton plasma jets, the recent experimental work on focusing the jets and heating solid targets, and the overall physics constraints and unresolved questions are discussed.
