1975

Construction of 24-Beam OMEGA to be Used in Support of the LFFP
On July 11, 1975, the New York State Legislature passed a supplemental appropriation that contained a $7.5 million interest-free loan to the University of Rochester to support the construction of a building to be used for the Laser Fusion Feasibility Project (LFFP). Construction began on the initial 24-beam OMEGA Facility as a National Laser Users Facility.

First Detailed Measurements Using X-Ray Line Emission
LLE made the first detailed measurements of ablation and preheat using x-ray line emission.

B. Yaakobi, I. Pelah, and J. Hoose, “Preheat by Fast Electrons in Laser-Fusion Experiments,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 37 (13), 836–839 (1976).

First-Harmonic and Subharmonic Emission Measurements
The first comprehensive measurements of harmonic and subharmonic emission from spherical targets were conducted.

S. Jackel, B. Perry, and M. Lubin “Dynamics of Laser-Produced Plasmas Through Time-Resolved Observations of the 2ω₀ and 3/2ω₀ Harmonic Light Emission,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 37 (2), 95-98 (1976).

Congressman Frank J. Horton Spotlights LLE
Congressman Frank J. Horton’s weekly column issued on March 25, 1975 highlighted “…one of the most exciting and significant energy research centers in the nation…” The present LLE facility and graduate student fellowships are named in his honor in recognition of his support.

Special Atomic Energy Commission
The US Atomic Energy Commission Special Laser-Fusion Advisory Panel issued its final report. The panel found that laser fusion was a promising approach to power generation that also offered a wide range of other applications and deserved broader support, including participation by industry, universities, and utilities.