The National Ignition Facility Enhanced Yield Capability

ORAL

Abstract

Since its completion in 2009 [1], the National Ignition Facility (NIF) has played a vital role in supporting the NNSA's Stockpile Stewardship mission by generating invaluable experimental data in the high-energy-density regime [2]. Notably, in a groundbreaking achievement [3], the NIF conducted the world's first controlled fusion experiment to achieve scientific energy breakeven, marking a significant milestone in scientific history. Recent engineering studies have revealed that the NIF has yet to reach its maximum capabilities. Minor facility upgrades have the potential to further boost the laser energy. Encouragingly, scaling studies benchmarked to recent ignition experiments suggest that these enhancements would significantly increase fusion yields. Given the remarkable results of the NIF's ignition experiments, investing in these upgrades would not only expand support for the evolving mission needs of the Stockpile Stewardship Program (SSP) but also enable the NIF to realize its full potential. In this work, we will outline our preliminary plans to upgrade the NIF to its full potential.

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Publication: [1] E. I. Moses, J. Phys. Conf. Ser. 112, 012003 (2008).
[2] Hurricane, O. A. and M. C. Herrmann, Annu. Rev. Nucl. Part. Sci. 67(1): 213-230, (2017).
[3] H. Abu-Shawareb et al. (Indirect Drive ICF Collaboration), Phys. Rev. Lett. 132, 065102 (2024)

Presenters

  • Dayne E Fratanduono

    Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Authors

  • Dayne E Fratanduono

    Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • Gordon Brunton

    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • Tom D Chapman

    Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • Ginevra E Cochran

    Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • Denise E Hinkel

    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, LLNL

  • Annie L Kritcher

    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • Jean-Michel Di Nicola

    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • Jeff Horner

    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • Steve A MacLaren

    LLNL, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • Jose Luis Milovich

    Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • Ryan C Nora

    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • Paul F Schmit

    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • Tayyab Suratwala

    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • Bruno Van Wonterghem

    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • Chris R Weber

    Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab