The World's Largest Laser: The National Ignition Facility

Erik Storm, chief engineer of the LIFE project at the National Ignition Facility, discusses the basics of the NIF laser. It's the largest laser beam in the world that will shoot tremendous bursts of energy at an area the size of a pencil eraser. The goal? To recreate fusion -- which powers the sun.

Erik goes on to discuss the LIFE project, a fusion based energy reactor and how it could be key to a clean energy future.

Erik isn't shy about talking about the pitfalls of this work, including the high price tag and criticism about weapons testing.

Recorded at the Down to a Science event on Monday, April 20, 2009. For more info, check out http://www.sciencecafesf.com

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Laser
• NIF
• Ignition
• Lawerence Livermore Lab
• Super Laser
• Energy
• Fusion Energy
• Ed Moses
• Erik Storm

[willam1992]

why wine about cost the Americans waste way more money than that on lesser things that have no benefit at all

[Aqueries44]

It'll be like a nuclear fusion reactor, and itll have enough energy to power, pretty much EVERYTHING ever.

[Mrtvababa]

please say that the eta is dec 21 2012

[reservenot1]

why not?

[donovanshanegreen]

why