In December 2022, the U.S. National Ignition Facility achieved net energy gain with this process by using 192 lasers to heat a gold hohlraum that then bathed a fuel capsule in X-rays. For 10 points each:
[10e] Name this process that produces heavier elements by combining lighter ones.
ANSWER: nuclear fusion [accept laser fusion; accept, BUT DO NOT REVEAL, inertial confinement fusion]
[10m] The NIF experiment achieved fusion using this method. This method of fusion satisfies the Lawson criterion for ignition by rapidly compressing fuel pellets.
ANSWER: inertial confinement fusion [or ICF]
[10h] To prevent mixing between the plastic capsule that undergoes this process and the DT fuel, the NIF experiment used a high-foot implosion. Inertial confinement fusion relies on the reaction force from this process to cause an implosion in the fuel pellet.
ANSWER: ablation [accept laser ablation]
<Physics>