PPPL is designing a diagnostic system to provide high-resolution analysis of research conducted on the world’s most energetic laser system at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. PPPL has designed and used high-resolution diagnostics, called X-ray crystal spectrometers, for decades to study the data from the laboratory’s magnetic fusion research. The PPPL designs have been adopted by magnetic fusion labs around the world.

NIF, by contrast, is developing a different technique called inertial confinement fusion and has been using spectrometers with lower energy resolution. In its experiments, NIF fires 192 high-power lasers at tiny pellets of fuel to compress the target, thereby heating the plasma and causing the ions inside it to fuse. The PPPL spectrometer will analyze and record the data from these experiments in fine detail.

The chief mission of NIF is to provide experimental insight and data for NNSA’s science-based Stockpile Stewardship Program in the area of high-energy-density physics — a scientific field of direct relevance to nuclear deterrence and national nuclear security. Funding NIF is the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), the agency charged with ensuring our nation’s nuclear security.

Creating the new spectrometer are physicists Kenneth Hill, Manfred Bitter, and Lan Gao. The new device is scheduled for delivery to NIF later this year.