The age of ignition
The experiment at the National Ignition Facility that made history
On December 5, 2022, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) launched "the age of ignition" with an experiment at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) that for the first time produced more energy from fusion than the laser energy delivered to the target. This historic milestone — known as fusion ignition — marks the beginning of a new era in clean energy.
The experiment delivered 2.05 MJ of laser energy to a tiny fuel capsule and produced 3.15 MJ of fusion energy — a gain of more than 1.5. While the total energy balance (accounting for the energy required to power the lasers) is not yet positive, the physics demonstration is the critical step that had eluded researchers for decades.
Longview Fusion Energy Systems was founded to commercialise this breakthrough. Building directly on the NIF's proven physics — the same laser-driven inertial confinement fusion configuration — Longview is designing a Market Entry Plant (MEP) that will deliver 440 MW of carbon-free baseload electricity for commercial operation in the early 2030s.
Ed Moses, CEO of Longview and former director of the NIF project, said: "The achievement at NIF changes the energy equation permanently. We now have the physics proof we need to build commercial laser fusion power plants. That is exactly what Longview is doing."
The NIF result has since been reproduced and improved upon, with experiments achieving target gain of over 4 and 8.6 MJ of fusion energy output — further validating the scalability of laser fusion as an energy source.
About the National Ignition Facility
The National Ignition Facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California is the world's largest and most energetic laser system. Built to demonstrate fusion ignition, NIF uses 192 laser beams to deliver enormous amounts of energy to a tiny fuel target, recreating the extreme conditions found in the cores of stars.
About Longview Fusion Energy Systems
Longview Fusion Energy Systems is a leading developer of advanced fusion technologies, committed to delivering clean, safe, and sustainable energy solutions. By collaborating with industry leaders, national laboratories, and research institutions, Longview is accelerating the commercialisation of laser fusion energy.