On December 5, 2022, at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) the output from a laser indirect drive inertial confinement fusion (ICF) target exceeded the energy delivered to that target meeting the National Academies of Sciences’ (NAS) definition of ignition for the first time in the laboratory. Achieving scientific breakeven advances the long-term goal of delivering a high fusion yield capability to support the National Nuclear Security Administration’s stockpile stewardship program. This feat has since been repeated a further four times including an experiment that achieved target gain greater than two. These results have spurred driver technology development and interest in both extensions of current facility capabilities and a new high yield facility as well as a resurgence of interest in inertial fusion energy. This presentation will describe these recent highlights and plans as we move beyond ignition.
This event is open to all physics students and staff.