How powerful is the NIF laser?

The largest and most energetic system in the world using a technique called inertial confinement fusion (ICF). Experimental physicist Tammy Ma helps us picture the amazing scales of ICF.

[mhancock]

He acted like the sugar cube tasted amazing 😂

[tripptank]

I have witnessed events so tiny, and so fast, they could hardly be said to have occurred at all.

[evilpanky]

Great work guys!! Can't wait to hear more!

[SoCalFreelance]

Can I get laser hair removal done there?

[DesoloZantas]

I feel like I'm watching 90s science documentary.

[oceanhouse]

I still don't know how powerful that laser hear it has a 500 Terra Watt optical power or 125 kilotons of TNT if it could sustain for 1 full second (500 Terra joules), but it only sustains for a few femto seconds, so its maybe a few hundred mega joules of total output or about equall to a few gallons of a single optical shot

[akhilsankar]

so simply we need to find technology to make the size of the laser production to giant building size to reasonably compact size to make this technology viable and possible in everywhere in the world, right?

[spiffinz]

This helps with nukes. "...how?" It just does ok?!

[vediotube]

Only nanosecond. Pulses? I thought CPA desktop lasers can easily do petawatt.

[jackystokes]

Yes but when will lightsabers be made readily available to the average joe?

[VECORlt]

Trying way way too hard to be 'hip'

[justhuman]

And this technology will not be weaponized at some point?

[warloox]

Where did they get the Energy from to Power this whole project. (Sorry for bad english)

[willwarden]

Just for fun can you put some microwave popcorn in there?

[MandolinSashaank]

If everyone on earth had this laser and shined it at the moon at the same time. The moon would turn into a plasma. Before that earth's atmosphere would ignite and finish off all life.

[brendanwood]

Wonder how you will be doing this without Rare Earth Elements?

[gharretje]

That are some odd analogy numbers to throw in there.

[marks]

so it cost billions of dollars and uses more electricity than how many homes and should of been done about 10 yrs it work

[Szobiz]

sooo... it's not much powerful i guess...

[Andratos]

Very nice, but it should be called NCF: National Cringe Facility