The Promise of IFE as an Economical Energy Source
D-T Fusion: What is it?
How ICF targets work
Drivers for Inertial Fusion Energy
Target Chambers for Inertial Fusion Energy
The Economics of IFE
Nonproliferation and Stockpile Stewardship
Directions for Inertial Fusion Energy Research
ICF References and Links
The NIF Beamlet Laser
The Beamlet laser is a single-beam, scientific prototype of the 192-laser-beam National Ignition Facility (NIF). The Beamlet serves as a full-scale testbed for NIF optics that incorporates technology developments and material advances such as high-damage-threshold coatings and crystals. In September 1994, the Beamlet laser demonstrated the energy and power density requirements of a single beam of the NIF laser architecture, providing the basis for subsequent approval for construction of the National Ignition Facility. (Photo credit: LLNL)