National Ignition Facility

The National Ignition Facility (NIF) is a research center in the United States that aims to achieve nuclear fusion, the same process that powers the sun. It uses powerful lasers to heat and compress small pellets of fuel, primarily hydrogen isotopes, to conditions similar to those found in stars. The goal is to create a self-sustaining fusion reaction, which could lead to a new, clean, and virtually limitless energy source. NIF also conducts experiments to enhance our understanding of nuclear weapons and support national security.