LLNL-led fusion energy hub expands roster of diode experts

The STARFIRE Hub for inertial fusion energy (IFE), led by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), has added five new members to its Diode Technology Working Group. These organizations add further breadth to world-class expertise in diode technology, strengthening STARFIRE’s collaborative effort to advance the technology basis for IFE.

“We’re excited to welcome a distinguished group of organizations to the STARFIRE Hub. Their collective expertise will be instrumental in accelerating the development of diode technology needed to make inertial fusion energy a reality,” said LLNL’s Will Fenwick, chair of the Diode Technology Working Group.

Diodes are core components of the high-energy, high-repetition-rate lasers that would be required to ignite fusion capsules in an IFE power plant.

The working group will define technical requirements, assess feasibility and drive innovation to support industry-wide progress in high-power diode technology. Its objectives include developing a common definition of diode reliability relevant to IFE, developing a standard for reliability tests for diodes in IFE applications, and driving the convergence of requirements between IFE laser drivers and laser diodes.

The group is co-chaired by Paul Crump of the Ferdinand-Braun-Institut, one of the new working group members. New members joining LLNL, Leonardo Electronics and TRUMPF Photonics are:

• Coherent Corporation
• Ferdinand-Braun-Institut
• Fraunhofer ILT (which has been a member of the broader STARFIRE Hub and is now joining the Diode Technology Working Group as well)
• Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
• Lumibird

“The addition of these new members underscores the STARFIRE Hub’s commitment to fostering collaboration across industry and research. Together, we are laying the groundwork for the next generation of fusion energy solutions by strengthening the supply chain,” said Tammy Ma, lead for inertial fusion energy at LLNL.

The IFE-STARFIRE hub is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Fusion Energy Sciences. Click here for more information about the DOE IFE-STARFIRE Hub and its initiatives.