On October 28, 2025, the Omega Laser Facility, operated at the University of Rochester’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE), surpassed 50,000 target shots. The facility houses the largest lasers of any university research institution in the world: the OMEGA laser, commissioned in 1995, and the OMEGA EP laser, commissioned in 2008. This particular milestone was achieved on a campaign using both laser systems for a single experimental objective to advance high-energy-density (HED) physics and inertial confinement fusion (ICF) research. The scientific team that conducted this shot included Arnold Schwemmlein (PI), Chad Forrest, Luke Ceurvorst, and Jim Knauer, and the primary goals of their experiment were to:
- Measure the instrument response function for neutron time-of-flight diagnostics (nTOFs)
- Establish absolute timing for time-resolved neutron/x-ray detectors
- Improve scientists’ measurement accuracy of flow, ion temperature, bang-time, and time resolved/gated x-ray detectors
With the ability to shoot ~2000 shots each year, the Omega Laser Facility is an incredibly productive facility, providing hundreds of scientists and students from around the globe with unique access to its world-class laser systems. LLE’s laser facilities, which are funded by the US Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration, have continued to push the frontiers of science through innovation, precision, and teamwork on a wide range of experimental arenas, including HED physics, ICF, plasma physics, astrophysics, and more.