NIF and Photon Science
Laser Power and Finesse Drove Fusion Ignition Success
Part 4: To achieve fusion ignition, NIF’s laser system needed to operate flawlessly at both ends of the performance spectrum, delivering immense energies while controlling the energy balance with extreme precision (For previous stories, see The Age of Ignition).
A standing-room-only crowd at the recent SPIE Photonics West convention listened raptly to a presentation about how fusion ignition was achieved at NIF.
LLNL’s research and development of the Big Aperture Thulium (BAT) laser has been living up to its name, delivering big results in a small package.
ICF Chief Scientist Omar Hurricane described the research leading to NIF’s fusion ignition milestone in an International Atomic Energy Agency webinar.
A newly released report finds the historic fusion ignition achievement gives the U.S. a “unique opportunity” to further lead the pursuit of inertial fusion energy.
The U.S. Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration announced the achievement of fusion ignition at NIF on Dec. 5.
Age of Ignition, Part 1: After 12 years of sustained effort and hundreds of experiments, NIF achieved ignition.
Age of Ignition, Part 2: Fusion ignition came from a steady evolution of experimental designs, with continuous improvements in diagnostic, optics, simulation technology, target quality, and lasers.
Age of Ignition, Part 3: When scientists at LLNL achieved fusion ignition at NIF, the primary mission and driving goal behind the experiment was stockpile stewardship science.
