Advances in inertial fusion and high energy density science at the National Ignition Facility (NIF)

The 192-beam National Ignition Facility (NIF), a football- stadium sized laser at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in Livermore, CA, is now fully operational. 1.1 MJ of ultraviolet laser energy has been demonstrated using 192 beams. A single NIF bundle (8 beams) has generated 78 kJ in the ultraviolet; this corresponds to the planned 192-beam peak energy of 1.8 MJ. The facility is being systematically ramped up in preparation for the recommencement of experiments at NIF in spring 2009. In addition to experiments in support of the stockpile stewardship and fundamental science, the NIF experimental program is focusing on executing credible ignition experiments in FY2010-FY2012. The ignition program is executed via the National Ignition Campaign (NIC)-a partnership between LLNL, Los Alamos National Laboratory, General Atomics, University of Rochester, and Sandia National Laboratories. Hohlraum energetics experiments will start in the spring, followed by capsule implosion campaigns in late 2009 and 2010. Successful demonstration of ignition and net energy gain on NIF will be a major step towards determining the feasibility of Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE). Ignition will also focus attention on ICF as an energy option. NIF will also open major new scientific opportunities in fundamental high energy density science. Experiments at NIF planned for FY2010 and beyond will investigate topics including planetary interiors and the behavior of supernovae and gaseous nebulae. To provide maximum access to these research opportunities, NIF will be operated as a national user facility. A call for proposals will be issued in late summer 2009, and a User Group meeting is planned for September 2009. This paper will describe NIF, NIC and NIF´s role as an international center for high energy density science.