How LLNL launched ‘The Age of Ignition’ at NIF
How did LLNL make history at the National Ignition Facility by achieving fusion ignition on Dec. 5, 2022?
Our special expanded report, The Age of Ignition, explains how this was accomplished, how it helps strengthen national security, and what it means for science and energy.
Advancements in Z-Pinch Fusion: New Insights From Plasma Pressure Profiles
July 11, 2024-
LLNL scientists reported advancements in understanding plasma pressure profiles within flow-stabilized Z-pinch fusion, a candidate for achieving net gain fusion energy in a compact device.
When Experiments Go Quiet: Maintaining the National Ignition Facility
July 10, 2024-
When the lasers at NIF stop firing, the facility is anything but quiet. Facility maintenance and refurbishment teams work to keep NIF as finely tuned as a Formula One racecar (story includes a video).
LLNL Honors 23 as Distinguished Members of Technical Staff
July 8, 2024-
Craig Siders and Vladimir Smalyuk from NIF&PS are among the 23 LLNL researchers named Distinguished Members of Technical Staff.
NIF Takes a Quantum Leap into Elusive Metallic Hydrogen
June 20, 2024-
Experiments are underway in NIF’s Discovery Science program as researchers try to characterize hydrogen’s optical properties and equation of state — and perhaps create the metallic state of hydrogen predicted decades ago.
LLNL’s Annie Kritcher Honored with Liberty Science Center’s ‘Genius Award’
June 20, 2024-
The Liberty Science Center of New Jersey presented LLNL physicist Annie Kritcher with its “Genius Award” for her work on the Lab team that achieved fusion ignition.
Fusion Ignition and the Path to Inertial Fusion Energy
June 20, 2024-
The cover story in the latest edition of The Bridge magazine discusses LLNL’s achievement of ignition and what it means for stockpile stewardship and inertial fusion energy.
Video: Igniting Scientific Discovery with AI and Supercomputing
June 10, 2024-
LLNL’s ignition breakthrough at NIF was enabled by a combination of traditional fusion target design methods, world-class supercomputing, and artificial intelligence techniques.
Video: The Latest Developments in Fusion Energy
May 30, 2024-
In a presentation at the United Kingdom’s Royal Institution, LLNL plasma physicist Tammy Ma discussed ICF experiments at NIF and explained why “we are at a pivotal moment in fusion research.
