NIF and Jupiter Laser Facility Meeting Showcases New Laser Shaping and Diagnostic Tools

New laser-shaping capabilities, upgraded diagnostic tools, and recent record fusion achievements took center stage at the joint NIF and Jupiter Laser Facility User Groups Meeting, with more than 150 scientists, researchers, students, and industry partners gathering at the Bella Rosa Conference Center at the Garré Vineyard & Winery in Livermore.

Vincent Tang, NIF and Photon Science Principal Associate Director, addressed the user groups for the first time in his new role and described "another really outstanding year" for NIF. The annual meeting, which typically takes place in February, brings together researchers who rely on LLNL's two laser facilities for a range of fundamental scientific experiments, covering recent results, new experimental platforms, and the evolving capabilities of both NIF and JLF.

Fratanduono, speaking to the assembled community, framed the gathering as both a technical showcase and a community-building exercise. "This meeting showcased the breadth of outstanding science our users are delivering on NIF and JLF, and it strengthened connections across the community so we can continue executing high-impact campaigns and pushing capability," Fratanduono said. The remarks pointed directly at the HED science stakes involved: "These world-leading HED science capabilities are a cornerstone of our national security mission and the nuclear deterrent."

Growing industry partnerships, highlighted alongside the new laser-shaping and diagnostic advances, were cited as a driver for both national security applications and next-generation Discovery Science research. The JLF side of the meeting featured discussions of the facility's Titan, Janus, and COMET platforms, and the facility's user group continues to serve as the liaison between the broader international HED science community and LLNL's experimental infrastructure.

Fratanduono used the occasion to recognize two personnel transitions. He thanked Kevin Fournier for his years of service as NIF User Office director, noting that Fournier is now serving on the National Nuclear Security Administration's Science Council, reporting to the deputy administrator for defense programs. He also acknowledged the NIF User Office team of Katie Mathisen, Rachel Ghilarducci, and Katlyn Pico for organizing the meeting.

Franklin Dollar, a professor of physics and astronomy at the University of California, Irvine, was among the researchers presenting during the poster sessions, which gave users a direct forum to share experimental work with peers across the NIF and JLF communities. LLNL published its user-meeting summary on March 12, 2026.