Independent review confirms National Ignition Facility problems

Nature : The National Ignition Facility (NIF) is a fusion research project based at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California. After the failure of a six-year drive to use lasers to implode matter and ignite fusion, the plans for the facility have shifted . However, the investigation into what went wrong is still ongoing. An independent report initiated by the Department of Energy has been released by the National Nuclear Security Administration, which oversees the operation of NIF. The panel’s findings agree with previous project reviews. The independent scientists highlighted problems in controlling the symmetry of the implosion, which is necessary to maintain stable fusion, and in controlling the mixing of hot and cold fuels. They also noted that because of the complexity, current computers and software simply may not be capable enough. The panel was split, however, as to whether NIF could ever achieve successful ignition.