For all future laser needs, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has the answer: the National Ignition Facility. Expected to be finished in 2009, yet already fully functional, the NIF boasts the most powerful laser ever created. It became the most powerful when it was fired for the first time in 2006, with only 6 of the eventual 192 laser conduits active. It has a peak output of 1.8 megajoules, and is primarily used to do advanced nuclear research on tiny deuterium and tritium beads; when the beads are hit with the laser, they are expected to condense to a density and temperature greater than that of the core of the sun. Previous lasers, such as the ones in the Omega and Nova facilities, were only able to achieve minor effects, but the National Ignition Facility is set to be the checkpoint for laser-induced fusion, and is expected to contribute greatly to Cold Fusion research.
Ironically, the budget for the facility was originally set around two-thirds of a billion dollars. Since then, it has ballooned to upwards of 4 billion, leading many to criticize the project as "out of out of control". Not that I disagree, because I certainly think that the laboratory funding the project should manage its money wisely, but that won't stop me from thinking that the laser is cool, especially given how much time and money is being poured into it. And it's a really cool laser.
It reminds me of the Death Star:
Very cool. I wonder if actually working there is like at any other big company?
Posted by: Dadoo | November 15, 2007 at 07:06 PM
ya.I would go with him plus is it messy or clean?
Posted by: jacob | January 20, 2008 at 08:57 AM