Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing the storage time of spent nuclear fuel. In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes providing a sample of spent nuclear fuel and irradiating the spent nuclear fuel with substantially collimated gamma ray photons having energy levels of about 10 MeV to about 15 MeV for a predetermined time period to initiate a photofission reaction in the remaining fertile fissile material in the spent nuclear fuel.

Abstract: A high energy semiconductor laser capable of high optical efficiency includes a master oscillator coupled to a plurality of slave oscillators, each producing a laser beam that is substantially at the same wavelength as the output beam from the master oscillator. The outputs of the slave oscillators are then coherently combined to a single monochromatic beam having an optical power which is substantially greater than that of beam output from the master oscillator. The slave oscillators can be configured as ring resonators. A suitable ring oscillator can be built by arranging one or more semiconductor diode laser gain media, two or more reflecting mirrors, and at least one semireflective mirror in a ring configuration. A suitable ring oscillator can also be built by machining a solid block to include one or more semiconductor diode laser high gain regions.

Abstract: A high energy semiconductor laser capable of high optical efficiency includes a master oscillator coupled to a plurality of slave oscillators, each producing a laser beam that is substantially at the same wavelength as the output beam from the master oscillator. The outputs of the slave oscillators are then coherently combined to a single monochromatic beam having an optical power which is substantially greater than that of beam output from the master oscillator. The slave oscillators can be configured as ring resonators. A suitable ring oscillator can be built by arranging one or more semiconductor diode laser gain media, two or more reflecting mirrors, and at least one semireflective mirror in a ring configuration. A suitable ring oscillator can also be built by machining a solid block to include one or more semiconductor diode laser high gain regions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing the storage time of spent nuclear fuel. In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes providing a sample of spent nuclear fuel and irradiating the spent nuclear fuel with substantially collimated gamma ray photons having energy levels of about 10 MeV to about 15 MeV for a predetermined time period to initiate a photofission reaction in the remaining fertile fissile material in the spent nuclear fuel.