IFE COLoR

The Inertial Fusion Energy Consortium on Laser-Plasma Interaction Research (IFE-COLoR), is led by  the University of Rochester’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics with a long history in high energy density science and inertial confinement fusion. This collaborative initiative unites experts from renowned institutions, including UCLA and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, alongside private sector innovators such as Ergodic, LLC, and Xcimer Energy, Inc. By leveraging diverse expertise, IFE-COLoR aims to enhance the foundational elements of IFE science and technology, focusing on efficient energy coupling to fusion capsules and improving fusion performance.

Achieving robust implosions necessitates a high level of energy coupling efficiency, with laser-plasma instabilities posing a substantial challenge. The consortium recognizes that the future of IFE laser drivers lies in bandwidth utilization, propelled by advancements in short-pulse laser technologies. A core objective of IFE-COLoR is to investigate and identify optimal bandwidth strategies through comprehensive experiments and simulations, directly addressing the issue of laser-plasma instabilities.
The Hub's strategic approach integrates cutting-edge laser technologies with sophisticated modeling and experimental practices, underpinned by validated hydrodynamic simulations. This framework seeks to establish the necessary scientific and technological basis for a high-bandwidth direct-drive IFE system. By systematically exploring bandwidth utilization, the consortium aims to enhance energy coupling efficiency, which is vital for achieving robust implosions and paving the way toward economically viable IFE solutions.

Moreover, the IFE-COLoR initiative plays a crucial role in supporting the Laboratory for Laser Energetics’ Undergraduate Education Program, enriching the educational experiences of students and fostering their involvement in essential science and engineering fields. This initiative not only provides valuable training opportunities but also addresses the future workforce needs of various sponsors, encouraging undergraduate students in relevant disciplines to engage in unique research opportunities and develop their careers in the burgeoning field of fusion energy.