## [Target Fabrication](/programs/target-fabrication) Target Fabrication ## Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. ![APT logo](https://lmf.llnl.gov/sites/lmf/files/styles/scalecrop200x200/public/2025-01/Target-Fab-Logo.png?itok=BBCc2zVr "APT logo") The Target Fabrication Team at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) plays a pivotal role in supporting the facility's mission to achieving ignition and enables researchers to conduct increasingly challenging experiments, pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge in fusion energy and high energy density physics. The team is responsible for designing, developing, assembling, and refining the intricate targets used in these experiments. [Engineering](https://lmf.llnl.gov/programs/target-fabrication/engineering) [Target Production](https://lmf.llnl.gov/programs/target-fabrication/target-production) [Component Production](https://lmf.llnl.gov/programs/target-fabrication/component-producation) [S&T](https://lmf.llnl.gov/programs/target-fabrication/s%26t) High-Intensity Laser-Driven Sources ## Delivering bright x-ray and particle sources for high energy density and national security missions The Target Fabrication Team at the NIF excel in the design and fabrication of complex target designs that meet the material and precision requirements of NIF experiments. This includes creating a variety of hohlraum shapes and sizes, as well as near perfect target capsules made from materials such as plastic, beryllium, and high-density carbon (diamond). Their ability to continuously customize and innovate target designs in response to experimental outcomes and advancements in diagnostic technologies ensures that the targets meet the evolving needs of researchers. Additionally, their expertise in working with a wide range of materials is critical for developing targets that can meet the experimental goals of inertial confinement fusion (ICF) and high energy density (HED) experiments High-Intensity Laser-Driven Sources ## Delivering bright x-ray and particle sources for high energy density and national security missions The Target Fabrication Team’s efforts to refine and adapt target designs in response to new challenges and technologies, showcase their adaptability in keeping pace with rapid advancements in experimental techniques and diagnostics. Furthermore, their collaboration with researchers and deep expertise in materials science and engineering significantly contribute to NIF's progress and success over the years. Their dedication and innovation will continue to be key to advancing the scientific goals of the National Ignition Facility. High-Intensity Laser-Driven Sources ## Delivering bright x-ray and particle sources for high energy density and national security missions ## Highlighted APT Projects and Emerging Applications APT pairs the development of cutting-edge high peak and average power lasers with expertise in HED and plasma physics to drive scientific exploration and technology advances. - ![Weapons simulation and computing on a large screen](https://lmf.llnl.gov/sites/lasers/files/2024-03/mecu-thumb.png)[MEC-U](#weapon-physics-design) - ![Scientist working on computer hardware](https://lmf.llnl.gov/sites/lasers/files/2024-03/hapls-thumb.jpg)[HAPLS](#weapon-simulation-computing) - ![Physicist adjusting equipment](https://lmf.llnl.gov/sites/lasers/files/2024-03/mus2-thumb.png)[MuS2](#weapon-tech-engineering) - ![Physicist adjusting equipment](https://lmf.llnl.gov/sites/lasers/files/2024-03/ife-thumb.png)[IFE](#weapons-infrastructure) - ![Scientist working on computer hardware](https://lmf.llnl.gov/sites/lasers/files/2024-03/hed-thumb.png)[HRR HED Science ](#hed) - ![Physicist adjusting equipment](https://lmf.llnl.gov/sites/lasers/files/2024-03/laser-sources-thumb2.png)[Laser-Driven Sources](#laser) #### [MEC-U ](#collapseOne) We are developing 150 J, 150 fs, petawatt laser operating at 10 Hz repetition rate for installation in an upgraded Matter in Extreme Conditions (MEC) experimental facility at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. The new laser will pair SLAC’s Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) X-ray free-electron laser to advance the understanding of high-energy density (HED) physics, plasma physics, fusion energy, laser-plasma interactions, astrophysics, planetary science and other physical phenomena. ![conceptual design for the new MEC-U cavern](https://lmf.llnl.gov/sites/lmf/files/2024-02/mecu.png "MEC-U") #### [HAPLS ](#collapseTwo) The High-repetition-rate Advanced Petawatt Laser System (HAPLS) is the world’s highest average power diode-pumped petawatt-class laser system, currently used for particle acceleration user experiments at ELI-Beamlines in the Czech Republic. ![HAPLS lab](https://lmf.llnl.gov/sites/lmf/files/2024-03/hapls_0.jpg "HAPLS lab") #### [MuS2 ](#collapseThree) The Intense and Compact Muon source for Science and Security (ICMuS2) Program combines expertise in high peak and average power lasers, compact particle accelerators, high energy physics, and system integration for seeing inside seemingly impossible places — nuclear reactors, volcanoes, tsunamis, hurricanes, and Egypt’s Great Pyramid of Giza. ![MuS2](https://lmf.llnl.gov/sites/lmf/files/2024-03/mus2.png "MuS2") #### [IFE ](#collapseFour) Fusion energy may be the ultimate energy source and offers a long-term vision for climate and energy security. The milestone of achieving fusion ignition in the laboratory provides fresh impetus in the development of Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE). An Institutional Initiative is developing a roadmap to advance IFE efforts using the expertise developed LLNL through a collaborative hub model bringing together industry, academia, and national labs. ![Inertial Fusion Energy ](https://lmf.llnl.gov/sites/lmf/files/2024-03/ife.png "Inertial Fusion Energy ") #### [HRR HED Science ](#collapseFive) APT scientists and engineers are pushing the frontier in high repetition rate High Energy Density (HED) Science. To take advantage of the potential enormous gains in capability offered by next-generation laser systems such as HAPLS, concurrent advancements are being pursed in diagnostic development (i.e. digital data acquisition in harsh HED environments), novel repetition-rate-capable target delivery systems, fast and accurate data analysis, reliable data communication, and control infrastructure enabled by deep learning. Developing HRR HED infrastructure and methodologies will have direct enabling impact to NNSA and DOE missions, including enhanced autonomous control and communication infrastructure, IFE research, and power plant designs. ![High-Repetition-Rate HED Science ](https://lmf.llnl.gov/sites/lmf/files/2024-02/hed.png "High-Repetition-Rate HED Science ") #### [Laser Sources ](#collapseSix) High intensity laser driven sources of photons and particles are used to create and probe high energy density conditions. The High Intensity Laser Driven Sources program area works to advance the source science and motivate laser technology maturation to meet needs of NNSA mission space, which includes application such as radiography of static and dynamic objects in novel imaging modalities and creating source characteristics that can interrogate specific physical characteristics of material at HED conditions. Source development occurs at medium and large-scale laser facilities at LLNL and around the world. ![Laser Sources](https://lmf.llnl.gov/sites/lmf/files/2024-03/laser-sources.png "Laser Sources") ### MEC-U ![conceptual design for the new MEC-U cavern](https://lmf.llnl.gov/sites/lmf/files/2024-02/mecu.png "MEC-U") We are developing a high average power, repetition-rated laser upgrade for installation in an upgraded Matter in Extreme Conditions (MEC) experimental facility at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. The new laser will pair SLAC’s Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) X-ray free-electron laser to advance the understanding of high-energy density (HED) physics, plasma physics, fusion energy, laser-plasma interactions, astrophysics, planetary science and other physical phenomena. ### HAPLS ![HAPLS lab](https://lmf.llnl.gov/sites/lmf/files/2024-03/hapls_0.jpg "HAPLS lab") The High-repetition-rate Advanced Petawatt Laser System (HAPLS) is the world’s highest average power diode-pumped petawatt-class laser system, currently used for particle acceleration user experiments at ELI-Beamlines in the Czech Republic. ### MuS2 ![MuS2](https://lmf.llnl.gov/sites/lmf/files/2024-03/mus2.png "MuS2") The Intense and Compact Muon source for Science and Security (ICMuS2) Program combines expertise in high peak and average power lasers, compact particle accelerators, high energy physics, and system integration for seeing inside seemingly impossible places — nuclear reactors, volcanoes, tsunamis, hurricanes, and Egypt’s Great Pyramid of Giza. ### IFE ![Inertial Fusion Energy ](https://lmf.llnl.gov/sites/lmf/files/2024-03/ife.png "Inertial Fusion Energy ") Fusion energy may be the ultimate energy source and offers a long-term vision for climate and energy security. The milestone of achieving fusion ignition in the laboratory provides fresh impetus in the development of Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE). An Institutional Initiative is developing a roadmap to advance IFE efforts using the expertise developed LLNL through a collaborative hub model bringing together industry, academia, and national labs. ### High-Repetition-Rate HED Science ![High-Repetition-Rate HED Science ](https://lmf.llnl.gov/sites/lmf/files/2024-02/hed.png "High-Repetition-Rate HED Science ") APT scientists and engineers are pushing the frontier in high repetition rate High Energy Density (HED) Science. To take advantage of the potential enormous gains in capability offered by next-generation laser systems such as HAPLS, concurrent advancements are being pursed in diagnostic development (i.e. digital data acquisition in harsh HED environments), novel repetition-rate-capable target delivery systems, fast and accurate data analysis, reliable data communication, and control infrastructure enabled by deep learning. Developing HRR HED infrastructure and methodologies will have direct enabling impact to NNSA and DOE missions, including enhanced autonomous control and communication infrastructure, IFE research, and power plant designs. ### Laser Sources ![Laser Sources](https://lmf.llnl.gov/sites/lmf/files/2024-03/laser-sources.png "Laser Sources") High intensity laser driven sources of photons and particles are used to create and probe high energy density conditions. The High Intensity Laser Driven Sources program area works to advance the source science and motivate laser technology maturation to meet needs of NNSA mission space, which includes application such as radiography of static and dynamic objects in novel imaging modalities and creating source characteristics that can interrogate specific physical characteristics of material at HED conditions. Source development occurs at medium and large-scale laser facilities at LLNL and around the world.