Scientists Behind Nuclear Fusion Milestone Near Repeat of Feat in Recent Test
- Experiment at Livermore lab yields as much energy as went in
- Lab generates second-largest amount of energy so far
The National Ignition Facility Target Bay at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
Photographer: Damien Jemison/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory/AP
The scientists behind last year’s nuclear fusion breakthrough, which raised the possibility of an abundant and clean future energy source, have not yet been able to duplicate their historic achievement. But they’re close.
Last month, the team at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California triggered a nuclear fusion reaction that produced as much energy as it took to create, as the world’s most powerful laser blasted a tiny diamond capsule filled with hydrogen. That one-for-one balance fell just shy of achieving “ignition” — the long-sought point at which a controlled fusion reaction generates more energy than went into it.