Scientific breakeven — first ignition (Q>1)
2022-12NIF / LLNL
3.15 MJ out from 2.05 MJ of laser energy in — the first lab fusion gain.
All actors 
NIF / LLNL
Profile
US laser facility; first to achieve fusion ignition (2022) and gain 4.13 (2025).
Editorial profile — compiled by us from public sources.
- Headquarters
- Livermore, CA, US
Current standings
Standings and milestones are always verified by us against primary sources, regardless of who manages the profile.
Roadmap & milestones
Target gain 4.13 (8.6 MJ yield)
2025-04NIF / LLNL
Eighth ignition shot — more than quadruple the laser energy delivered.
NIF laser upgrade approved (Enhanced Fusion Yield)
~ 2026-04NIF / LLNL (DOE/NNSA)
DOE CD-2 approval to raise peak laser energy 2.2 → 2.6 MJ (+20%), targeting fusion yields of 30 MJ and beyond; $26M FY2026.
