Quick Shot

The U.S. Department of Energy announced that researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s National Ignition Facility for the first time carried out a nuclear fusion reaction that achieved ignition, producing more energy out of the implosion than laser energy delivered to the target. This announcement validates the physics of hot-spot ignition—a technique common to indirect drive and direct drive, which are the laser-driven implosion techniques that are used at LLE. LLE had made many contributions to the pursuit of ignition, including laser technologies, diagnostics, simulation capabilities, physics understanding, and educating students. Many students trained at our Omega Laser Facility are recruited by NNSA national laboratories.  Some were directly involved in the successful experiments at the National Ignition Facility. LLE scientists participated in the review of the recent ignition results. More information about the milestone and LLE’s role can be found on the University website.