In the 1990s the United States ceased underground nuclear testing, and the U.S. Department of Energy created the science-based Stockpile Stewardship Program to maintain the safety, security, and reliability of the U.S. nuclear deterrent without full-scale testing. With decades of world-leading research on lasers and inertial confinement fusion, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) was uniquely positioned to meet the challenge of studying the science of nuclear weapons in the absence of underground testing. And when the nation needed a new scientific instrument to ensure continued confidence in our nuclear stockpile, LLNL provided a solution—the National Ignition Facility (NIF), the world’s highest-energy laser system (see NIF and Stockpile Stewardship).
ELEMENTS OF STEWARDSHIP SCIENCE
High Energy Density Science
High energy density experiments on NIF yield information on the characteristics of materials used in nuclear weapons.
Advancing Weapon Physics
NIF’s unique capabilities provide access to regimes previously inaccessible to weapon scientists.
Achieving Fusion Ignition
High-yield ignition experiments enable the stewardship program to explore new physical regimes.
National Security Applications
NIF experiments are a key tool for testing the survivability of weapon components in hostile environments.
Developing New Capabilities
A key goal of the NIF&PS Directorate is developing new competencies to meet the challenges of the future.
Conducting Discovery Science
NIF’s Discovery Science Program gives scientists powerful tools to explore the science of the cosmos.
ADVANCING THE STATE OF THE ART IN S&T
Advancing Defense Technologies
Developing laser systems for the tactical and strategic laser missions of the 21st century.
Pursuing Advanced Photon Technologies
Enabling scientific advancement and new commercial applications.
Exploring
Energy Security
Nuclear fusion offers the potential for virtually unlimited safe, clean energy.
