LASER LAB
Big Science
FUSION FUNDING: The Department of Energy has renewed its agreement to support the Laboratory for Laser Energetics—home of one of the world’s leading facilities for research into power sources of the future. According to Director Robert McCrory, the five-year contract will make possible up to $351 million in funding and also will allow the laboratory’s more than 500 employees and students to continue their research into the development of controlled, thermonuclear fusion energy sources and high energy density physics. In 2008, the laboratory will complete the construction of the gigantic Omega EP laser (shown here) which, when it begins operation, will be the most powerful laser on Earth (Photo by Eugene Kowaluk ’70).
