News

Taking the Temperature of Plutonium

In an ambitious five-year project, LLNL researchers and their colleagues have developed an experimental platform designed to determine the internal energy of plutonium under pressures of 10 million Earth atmospheres or more.

ELI and LLNL Strengthen Collaboration

LLNL and the Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC (ELI) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that builds on their existing strategic collaboration and reflects the commitment of both to advancing scientific research and laser innovation.

Big Ideas Lab Podcast: How AI Is Reshaping Science at LLNL

As the world moves from the Information Age to the Data Age, AI is not only revolutionizing society—it’s fundamentally transforming how LLNL researchers approach science and played a key role in the achievement of fusion ignition.

LLNL, Amazon partner on groundbreaking AI integration at the National Ignition Facility

Today, LLNL and Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced a partnership to develop an AI-driven troubleshooting and reliability system for the National Ignition Facility. The team recently completed the first phase of integrating generative AI capabilities into operations.

LLNL Laser Experts Shine at Laser Safety Conference

Laser safety experts from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory led several important sessions and presentations on the latest advances in laser technology and safety practices during the 2025 International Laser Safety Conference.

LLNL Research Sets New Gold Standard to Narrow ICF ‘Drive Deficit’

LLNL researchers have identified the primary physical contributor to discrepancies between simulations and experimental results in inertial confinement fusion experiments.

LLNL Experts Foster National Fusion Energy Ecosystem at IFE-STAR Conference

More than 200 fusion energy experts from LLNL and other national labs, academia, and the private sector gathered in Colorado to assess the state of the art in inertial fusion energy.

Nuclear Fusion Journal Recognizes LLNL Paper

LLNL nuclear engineer Charles Yeamans and co-authors G. Elijah Kemp, Zachary Walters, Heather Whitley, Patrick McKenty, Emma Garcia, Yujia Yang, Stephen Craxton, and Brent Blue.have been recognized with the 2024 Nuclear Fusion Award for outstanding work published in the journal.

LLNL Hosts Workshop to Shape the Future of Diode-Pumped Laser Technology

LLNL recently hosted a workshop to assemble the world’s top experts in diode-pumped solid-state laser (DPSSL) systems, a key technology for the future of inertial fusion research and energy.

Jeff Wisoff Reflects on Decades of National Service

As he wraps up his 24-year career at LLNL, Jeff Wisoff reflects on his time as Principal Associate Director of NIF & Photon Science, the achievement of fusion ignition, and how serving as a NASA astronaut informed his approach to leadership.

New NIF Diagnostic Tool Will Make ‘Movies’ of Phase Changes in Materials

In a significant advance in high-pressure physics, LLNL researchers developed a tool to capture real-time sequential images of phase changes in materials. This new diagnostic instrument—dubbed FIDDLE—is shedding light on the nanosecond dynamics of matter under extreme conditions.

Big Ideas Lab Podcast Takes on Tech Spinoffs and Partnerships

The Big Ideas Lab podcast takes a deep dive into how the Innovation and Partnerships Office (IPO) facilitates tech transfer at LLNL and some of the most impactful success stories, including one startup inspired by research into protecting NIF's optical components from laser damage.

Big Ideas Lab Podcast Explores the Future of Fusion Energy

In the latest episode of “The Big Ideas Lab” podcast, learn the next steps needed to turn the dream of fusion energy into reality.

Prominence of LLNL Laser Science on Display at NIF-JLF User Groups Meeting

The progress made to capitalize on and sustain NIF’s capabilities, and the scientific advancements made during JLF’s first full year of operations following a major refurbishment, were highlighted during this year’s NIF and JLF User Groups Meeting.

Introducing El Capitan

One of the world’s most powerful and energy-efficient supercomputers helps scientists safeguard the U.S. nuclear stockpile. Read more ...

Ride the Optics Recycle Loop with the Big Ideas Lab Podcast

NIF was designed and built in a way to manage some level of laser damage on the optics nearly every time the laser fires. In this Big Ideas Lab Podcast episode, we take a ride along this Optics Recycle Loop of continuous innovation and ingenuity.

Igniter Award Winners Support Their Colleagues — And the Lab’s Missions

The second annual NIF & Photon Science Igniter Awards recognize two team members, Sara Novell and Melissa Meier, who have gone above and beyond to inspire and support their colleagues to reach greater heights, both professionally and personally.

Showing How Plasma Electrons Can Enhance Fusion Reaction Rates

A NIF Discovery Science campaign is hoping to demonstrate that free electrons in a plasma can help positively charged atomic nuclei “tunnel” through the electrostatic barrier that keeps them apart and fuse.

Three LLNL Scientists Honored with Presidential Early-Career Award

Design physicist Kelli Humbird, who has been recognized for her innovative application of machine learning in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) physics, was one of three distinguished LLNL researchers honored with a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) award.

Ensuring Material Survivability

NIF's increasing shot yields—including the achievement of fusion ignition—enable materials and components to be tested for nuclear survivability at hotter and more intense conditions.