National Laser Users Facility (NLUF) Established

1979:

The National Laser Users Facility (NLUF) was established in 1979 to provide access to LLE’s high-power laser facilities to U.S. scientists. It was the first user facility based on a high-power fusion laser that provides a unique high-energy-density physics experimental facility to this nation’s scientific community. NLUF participants have included scientists from approximately 40 universities, government laboratories, and private companies. NLUF is another aspect of the LLE program that contributes to its unique position among this nation’s ICF laboratories. NLUF serves as a model for the National Ignition Facility users’ programs.

Shown here is the X-ray diffraction pattern of halobacterium halobium taken with sub-nanosecond exposure on the GDL system by Jim Forsyth as part of an early NLUF experiment.