US’ laser facility to advance fusion research to achieve limitless energy

A powerful new laser research facility located on Colorado State University’s Foothills Campus is expected to strengthen the country’s fusion efforts to achieve limitless energy.

Planned to be known as the Advanced Technology Lasers for Applications and Science (ATLAS) Facility, the new building is aimed to be a unique cluster of high-intensity, high-repetition rate lasers that can be configured to fire simultaneously at a single fusion target.

That burst will deliver nearly 7 petawatts of power – over 5,000 times the electrical generation capacity of the U.S. – into a focal spot roughly the width of a human hair for approximately 100 quadrillionths of a second, according to a press release.

ATLAS Facility will also support fusion, basic science research

The trio of ultra high-power lasers can also be used independently and in other combinations to study questions beyond fusion energy, including key topics in fundamental research, according to CSU.

CSU President Amy Parsons hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the facility on Wednesday.

“As a top institution recognized both for research and for sustainability, CSU is a fitting home for this facility. We have been a leader in laser research for decades, and our faculty are advancing critical technologies. This new facility will house one of the most powerful lasers in the world and establishes CSU as a nexus for laser fusion research,” said Parsons.

Beyond fusion and basic science research, the ATLAS Facility will also support interdisciplinary work into topics like medicine, where lasers could be used to deposit energy in a very localized region for tumor treatment, according to the release .

Other potential research at the facility includes microchip lithography and design and detailed X-ray imaging of rapidly moving objects, such as airplane engine turbines in full motion. The facility will also broadly support fundamental science research, according to CSU.

Facility that will drive the future of fusion energy

Heike Freund, the chief operating officer of Marvel Fusion , said the company was excited to continue to partner with CSU in this research space.

“This groundbreaking marks an exciting new chapter in the partnership between Marvel Fusion and Colorado State University as we move forward with constructing a facility that will drive the future of fusion energy,” Freund said.

“Fusion energy has the potential to revolutionize the approach to sustainable power, providing a virtually limitless, clean energy source. This collaboration sets CSU and MF at the forefront of cutting-edge research, paving the way for transformative advancements that could redefine global energy solutions.”

CSU vice president for research, Cassandra Moseley, stated that CSU is a leader in laser research and technology, which has led us to break ground on a building that will bring that impactful research to the next level.

“We celebrate today with the scientists whose teams helped get us to this point, and with excitement for the research power and discovery that will take place in this facility,” said Moseley.