Lead in Laser Science & Technology
Develop new laser technologies and materials.
About LLE
Home to the world’s largest lasers in an academic setting.
Vision
To be the leading academic institution advancing laser technologies, fusion, and high-energy-density science at scale.
Mission
Lead in ICF
Conduct implosion experiments and basic physics experiments in support of the National Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) program.
Develop the Workforce
Provide graduate and undergraduate education in electro-optics, high-power lasers, high-energy-density physics, plasma physics, and nuclear fusion technology.
Advance R&D
Conduct research and development in advanced technology related to high-energy-density phenomena.
A Center of Gravity for the Fusion and HEDP Ecosystems
Since its founding in 1970 at the University of Rochester, the Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) has been a central force in fusion and high-energy-density (HED) physics research and laser science and technologies.
The Omega Laser Facility at LLE serves an elite community of more than 800 researchers from over 70 institutions worldwide, including major national labs, who conduct over half of the experiments supporting national HED and fundamental science programs. This vibrant ecosystem, strongly rooted in academia, nurtures innovation and discovery while fostering the development of the next generation of researchers, engineers, and technicians.
Backed by federal and state sponsors, LLE advances both scientific excellence and workforce training, maintaining its position at the heart of the national fusion and HED community.
What Drives Our Work?
Our work is largely driven by a commitment to advancing national security and energy independence. We also aim to deepen our understanding of the universe. A majority of our experiments, programs, and innovations are guided by these goals, ensuring that our work has both immediate impact and long-term benefits.
We pursue these priorities by studying:
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Laboratory Astrophysics – exploring the physics of stars and galaxies.
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Matter at Extreme Conditions – investigating how materials behave under the most intense pressures and temperatures.
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Fusion – advancing the science that ensures the reliability and safety of the nation’s nuclear stockpile, and pioneering a clean, virtually limitless energy source for the future.
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Frontier Science – pushing the boundaries of discovery with cutting-edge experiments and technologies.
Nobel Prize-Winning Research
In 2018, our alumna Donna Strickland and former faculty member Gérard Mourou were recognized for their revolutionary work on chirped-pulse amplification (CPA), a technique that has transformed laser science and opened doors to new medical, scientific, and commercial applications.
Quick Facts
450
employees
120+
students per year
300,000+
square feet of space
2000
experiments per year
800+
users from 70+ institutions, including 50+ universities
80%
of the high-energy-density physics experiments for NNSA
100+
papers per year