Laser inertial fusion collaboration engages NIF and Spain's IFN

Livermore, CA and Madrid, Spain--Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to engage in joint research and promote the exchange of personnel with Spain's Instituto de Fusion Nuclear (IFN), a research institute of the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid (UPM), to explore the highest level of nuclear fusion research including activities with both the National Ignition Facility (NIF) and the Laser Inertial Fusion Engine (LIFE) program. In late 2010, NIF set a record for neutron yield and laser energy delivered from laser-driven capsules to an inertial-confinement-fusion (ICF) target. Although LLNL and IFN have had a long history of collaboration, the MOU solidifies that association as part of UPM's focus on building international relationships to support stability and growth in research.

"This agreement will provide a platform for the Laboratory and IFN to build on a decades-long tradition of common research in areas related to high energy density science, inertial confinement fusion, inertial fusion energy and basic science," said Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, the Lab's deputy director of Science & Technology. The two parties will exchange information and conduct joint research in areas including high energy density science and other fundamental science topics; fundamental science experiments of common interest in LLNL's NIF; and various topics within the Lab's LIFE program.

NIF will serve as a central point in the research collaboration, bringing its strength as the world's largest and most energetic laser to support the parties' research in areas of vital importance to the world. A focus is research conducted to support NIF's Inertial Fusion Energy Program, its demonstration of fusion energy, and the technology's suitability for large-scale, laser fusion-driven power plants. In addition to supporting shared research, the MOU provides for the exchange of scientists and students between LLNL and IFN to support the common research interests at both institutions.

SOURCE: LLNL; www.llnl.gov/news/aroundthelab/2011/Aug/080311_agreement.html