NIF（National Ignition Facility）
Study laser inertial-confinement fusion and high-energy-density science. Distinguish its primary national-security research mission from its scientific contribution to fusion energy.
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Project profile
Research results, fusion power, net electricity generation and commercialization are distinguished. Future operating dates and power levels are targets announced by the operator.
- Official name
- NIF（National Ignition Facility）
- Operator
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory（LLNL）
- Operator type
- Public institution / university
- Host country
- United States
- Host location
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, California
- Category
- Research device
- Technical approach
- Laser inertial confinement
- Development stage
- Research operation
Development stage note: Target gain is not net energy or net electricity for the whole facility.
Research and development objectives
Study laser inertial-confinement fusion and high-energy-density science. Distinguish its primary national-security research mission from its scientific contribution to fusion energy.
Verified milestones
- 2022-12-05 · Achievement or implementation verified
Achieved ignition with fusion energy exceeding the laser energy delivered to the target.
- 2025-04-07 · Achievement or implementation verified
Recorded 8.6 MJ of fusion energy and a target gain of 4.13.
- 2026-06-20 · Achievement or implementation verified
An ignition experiment yielded 7.9 MJ of fusion energy and a target gain of approximately 3.8.
Announced future targets
- Target date not verified · Announced target (not achieved)
Continue ignition experiments and high-energy-density research with higher laser input.
Published technical specifications
| Item | Published value | Meaning, conditions and sources of values |
|---|---|---|
| Laser beams | up to 192 beams | Indirect-drive configuration |
| Fusion energy on 7 April 2025 | 8.6 ± 0.45 MJ | Measured achievement |
| Laser energy delivered to the target in the same experiment | 2.08 MJ | Not the electrical input to the whole facility |
Companies with verified involvement
No relationship has yet been verified by matching the sources with the company database.
Related in-depth FI articles
No existing article focused on this project has been verified.
Verification scope and classification notes
- Editorial classification of the purpose described in official sources; not necessarily the operator's formal classification.
- No item was verified in this review. This does not establish that none exists or that it is undisclosed.
Official project information ↗
- Achieving Fusion Ignition（LLNL）
Verified: 2026-10-12 - National Ignition Facility FY2025（LLNL）
Verified: 2026-10-12
Last verified: 2026/10/12 20:28:19 (Japan time)
Research and development purpose
Study laser inertial-confinement fusion and high-energy-density science. Distinguish its primary national-security research mission from its scientific contribution to fusion energy.
Research stages, achievements, announced targets and technical specifications are organized in the project profile above. Check the sources for each item.