US-German team to build 15 shots-per-second nuclear fusion lasers

Researchers from the US’s Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (Fraunhofer ILT) have launched the ICONIC-FL project to develop advanced high-energy fusion lasers capable of operating continuously for future power plants. The initiative addresses a key challenge in inertial confinement fusion (ICF): transitioning from single-shot laser ignition experiments to reliable, high-repetition-rate operation needed for power generation—specifically, about 15 laser shots per second. Achieving this requires highly efficient diode-pumped solid-state lasers (DPSSLs) that can withstand intense optical stress and heat while maintaining performance. To meet these demands, the teams are combining their laser-simulation models to create detailed, realistic designs of laser amplification stages, which are critical for boosting initial pulses to the energy levels required for fusion ignition. These simulations help predict and mitigate distortions caused by heat and optical stress on large laser glass or crystal plates, which must be actively cooled.