##  [Home](/new-home) 

Expanding the Fusion Frontier

# Ten Ignition Results, Unprecedented Fusion Yields

LLNL’s National Ignition Facility is the only lab on Earth to achieve fusion ignition.  
Since making history in 2022, each repeat deepens our understanding of high energy density and fusion science.  
Explore how NIF brings star power to Earth in service of U.S. national security.

[Achieving Fusion Ignition](https://lasers.llnl.gov/science/achieving-fusion-ignition) [How NIF Works](https://lasers.llnl.gov/about/how-nif-works)







 



 

 



 





 

 

 

 

NNSA and LLNL Advance NIF Laser Upgrade



 



 

 



 





 

 

 

The Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration have approved a path forward for a project that will increase the laser energy available to NIF at LLNL. The Enhanced Yield Capability project will enable more pertinent assessments and modernization efforts for the nation’s nuclear stockpile.

[Read More](https://lasers.llnl.gov/news/nnsa-llnl-advance-laser-upgrade-nuclear-stockpile-mission-ahead-schedule "NNSA Advances NIF Laser Upgrade at LLNL")



 



 

 



 

 [![NIF Cross Section](https://lasers.llnl.gov/sites/lasers/files/styles/scaled_425h/public/2026-03/NIF%20cross%20section.jpg?itok=TkNZTBFt "NIF Cross Section")](https://lasers.llnl.gov/sites/lasers/files/2026-03/NIF%20cross%20section.jpg)

Click to Enlarge

 



 

 



 





 

 

 

### NIF Milestones

#### [FIRST IGNITION](https://lasers.llnl.gov/news/age-ignition)

December 2022More fusion energy out than laser energy in



#### [RECORD FUSION YIELD](https://lasers.llnl.gov/news/target-breakthrough-enabled-fusion-record-nif)

April 20258.6 MJ of fusion energy, target gain >4



#### [SECURING THE STOCKPILE](https://lasers.llnl.gov/news/llnl-conducts-milestone-nuclear-survivability-experiment-nif)

October 2025Milestone survivability results for NNSA



#### [UPGRADING THE LASER](https://lasers.llnl.gov/news/nnsa-llnl-advance-laser-upgrade-nuclear-stockpile-mission-ahead-schedule)

March 2026Embarking on the NIF Enhanced Yield Capability









 



 

 



 





 

 

 

## NIF and Photon Science News



 



 

 



 





 

 

 

  [![Laser Optics](/sites/lasers/files/styles/thumbnail_380_380/public/2026-05/optics%20school.jpg?itok=m6dSl7jF)](/news/llnl-las-positas-college-offer-laser-optics-workshop)    May 26, 2026 ### [LLNL, Las Positas College Offer Laser Optics Workshop](/news/llnl-las-positas-college-offer-laser-optics-workshop)

 

 

  [![FODI at work inspecting an optic between experiments at NIF](/sites/lasers/files/styles/thumbnail_380_380/public/2026-05/fodi1_r5.jpg?itok=7jBEj4hf)](/news/meet-machines-matter-optics-inspector)    May 20, 2026 ### [Meet the Machines That Matter: The Optics Inspector](/news/meet-machines-matter-optics-inspector)

 

 

  [![LLNL's Dan Casey speaks with US IFE conference attendees](/sites/lasers/files/styles/thumbnail_380_380/public/2026-04/US%20IFE-Dan%20Casey.jpg?itok=mkD7ZylZ)](/news/llnl-experts-help-advance-inertial-fusion-energy-us-ife-conference)    May 7, 2026 ### [LLNL Experts Help Advance Inertial Fusion Energy at U.S. IFE Conference](/news/llnl-experts-help-advance-inertial-fusion-energy-us-ife-conference)

 

 

  [![NIF&PS Igniters Ann Provost, Arsenia Rendon, Raspberry Simpson, and John Jett with NIF&PS PAD Vincent Tang](/sites/lasers/files/styles/thumbnail_380_380/public/2026-04/2025%20Igniter%20Awards.jpg?itok=fCfu-5pp)](/news/igniter-awards-honor-nifps-culture-builders)    May 4, 2026 ### [Igniter Awards Honor NIF&PS Culture Builders](/news/igniter-awards-honor-nifps-culture-builders)

 

 

  [![Colorized image of a NIF “Big Foot” deuterium-tritium (DT) implosion](/sites/lasers/files/styles/thumbnail_380_380/public/2026-03/implosion.jpg?itok=hO-pczLG)](/news/target-breakthrough-enabled-fusion-record-nif)    April 15, 2026 ### [Target Breakthrough Enabled Fusion Record at NIF](/news/target-breakthrough-enabled-fusion-record-nif)

 

 

  [![LLNL and Inertia Logos](/sites/lasers/files/styles/thumbnail_380_380/public/2026-04/Inertia-LLNL%20Logos.jpg?itok=23yoQOOy)](/news/llnl-partners-inertia-develop-fusion-energy-technology)    April 14, 2026 ### [LLNL Partners with Inertia to Develop Fusion Energy Technology](/news/llnl-partners-inertia-develop-fusion-energy-technology)

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 



 

 



 





 

 

 

### [More News >>](https://lasers.llnl.gov/news)



 



 

 



 





 

 

 

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