News Physics

With a powerful laser blast, scientists near a nuclear fusion milestone

A National Ignition Facility experiment produced a record 1.3 million joules of fusion energy

laser blast in a nuclear fusion experiment

Scientists at the National Ignition Facility have produced record-breaking energy in a nuclear fusion experiment.  Such fusion experiments, like the 2016 test shown in this colorized image, use powerful laser blasts to compress hydrogen fuel and kick off fusion.

Don Jedlovec/LLNL

By Emily Conover

- More than 2 years ago

With a powerful laser zap, scientists have blasted toward a milestone for nuclear fusion.