California Governor Schwarzenegger Dedicates World’s Largest Laser System

05/29/2009 -- Celebrating the economic, energy and research advances that will come from the world’s largest, highest-energy laser system, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today returned to the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to join in the dedication ceremony for its National Ignition Facility (NIF). After 12 years of construction and preparation, this research facility can create temperatures and pressures found only in the core of stars, giant planets and inside nuclear weapons.

“This laser system is an incredible success not just for California, but for our country and our world,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “NIF has the potential to revolutionize our energy system - teaching us a new way to harness the energy of the sun to power our cars and homes. California was the home of the first working laser, so it is no surprise that the Golden State has now produced the world’s largest and most powerful one.”

NIF’s 192 giant lasers are housed in a ten-story building the size of three football fields, and when focused on a hydrogen-filled target the size of a BB can create temperatures and pressures higher than those at the center of the sun. By advancing fusion technology, this laser system will help unlock the potential for a clean, carbon-free, limitless and environmentally-friendly energy source, while maintaining and enhancing the United State’s nuclear capabilities without nuclear testing.

California’s economy will continue to benefit from the investments in NIF. The laser system supports 1,000 high-tech science and technology jobs in California and products from more than 800 California vendors have been purchased to build it. By next year, NIF will have spent more than $2 billion in the state, putting money into our economy when we need it most.

Governor Schwarzenegger previously visited LLNL in November 2008 to receive a national security briefing and visit the nearly completed NIF. As a world leader in the effort to develop alternative energy to power our everyday lives, the Governor continues to support clean energy research in California.

Source: California Governor