Organizers
Peter Moulton, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, USA
Vincent Tang, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, USA
William Krupke, WFK Lasers, formerly Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, USA
The first laser demonstration in 1960 inspired nuclear scientists who wanted to create fusion driven by a process other than a fission bomb. The laser was a device that could create the necessary high density of energy in a short time. Major milestones in the 60-year quest for laser-driven fusion are the recent announcements of experiments that produced more energy than that of the laser input. The first, done in December of 2022, had a gain of 1.5, and then results recently reported in September 2023 indicated a July test with an improved gain of 1.9. These results were achieved on the National ignition Facility (NIF) as part of the US DOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)’s Stockpile Stewardship Program and “provides both unprecedented capabilities to gain new understanding for stockpile stewardship and invaluable insights into the prospects of clean fusion energy.”
Although there is a long path ahead to practical laser-driven fusion power plants, if they can be realized, their impact will represent the most significant application of lasers by providing a path to elimination of fossil fuels as our main energy source. The 60-year quest was not without major difficulties, as well as doubts about the concept, and required significant advances in laser technology, many of which were reported in past CLEO meetings.
This symposium reviews the long-term laser efforts that resulted in the recent breakthroughs by speakers who led and supported them. We will also review the possible paths forward to the goal of practical fusion power.
Invited Speakers
Mike Campbell, former LLE and LLNL Laser Program Director, USA
The National Ignition Facility: The Beginning
Jean-Michel Di Nicola, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, USA
The NIF Laser System: Groundbreaking Capabilities in Support of Stockpile Stewardship, Discovery Science and National Security
Ed Moses, Longview Fusion Energy Systems, USA and Mary Spaeth, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, USA
The NIF journey: A Revolutionary Facility for High Energy Density Science (HEDS) and Fusion Ignition
Tammy Ma, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, USA
Beyond NIF: Getting to Inertial Fusion Energy