Episode description

Inside the National Ignition Facility, 192 laser beams push the limits of science and technology, supporting critical national security and scientific research. But the extreme energy takes a toll, leaving tiny cracks and damage on the system’s delicate optics.

Instead of replacing these costly components, scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have developed a high-tech repair process: the Optics Recycle Loop. Like a Formula 1 pit stop for lasers, this system inspects, restores, and reintegrates damaged optics with precision—keeping NIF firing at peak performance.

In this episode, we explore how researchers extend the life of these vital components, the cutting-edge science behind laser damage repair, and why maintaining NIF’s optics is key to its success.

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Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series. 

Executive Produced by Lacey Peace and Levi Hanusch.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle. 

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle. 

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell. 

Narrated by Matthew Powell. 

Video Production by Levi Hanusch. 

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance): 

• Tayyab Suratwala, Program Director for Optics and Materials Science, LLNL
• Laura Mascio Kegelmeyer, Former NIF Team Leader for Optics Inspection and Data Management, LLNL
• Wren Carr, Science and Technology Leader for the Optical and Material Science and Technology Group, LLNL

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.