What Goes into a Shot at the National Ignition Facility?

Take a peek inside the National Ignition Facility, the world’s largest and most energetic laser, to see how we develop and execute some of the most complex experiments conducted anywhere. This one-of-a-kind facility was funded by the National Nuclear Security Administration to keep the nation’s nuclear stockpile safe, secure and effective. We also use the extreme conditions produced by NIF to study the science behind fusion ignition and to explore astrophysical phenomena such as supernovae, black holes and planetary interiors. Learn more about NIF here: