The NIF: Path to Ignition in the laboratory
The National Ignition Facility (NIF) is a 192-beam, 1.8-MJ, 500-TW ultraviolet laser facility presently under construction at LLNL for inertial confinement fusion (ICF) ignition and high energy density (HED) experiments. Four of the NIF beams were commissioned to demonstrate laser performance. On a single-beam basis NIF has shown that it meets its performance goals and demonstrated its precision and flexibility for pulse shaping, pointing, timing and beam conditioning. Four experiments were also performed for ICF and HED science. Presently, the project is installing production hardware to complete the project in 2009 with the goal to begin ignition experiments in 2010. An integrated plan has been developed including the NIF operations, user equipment such as diagnostics and cryogenic target capability, experiments, and calculations to meet this goal.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 877877
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-CONF-215671
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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