The National Ignition Facility project: An update

The National Ignition Facility (NIF) consists of 192 forty-centimeter-squar e laser beams and a 10-m-diameter target chamber. Physical construction beg an in 1997. The Laser and Target Area Building and the Optics Assembly Buil ding were the first major construction activities, and despite several unfo reseen obstacles, the buildings are now 92% complete and have been done on time and within cost. Prototype component development and testing has proce eded in parallel. Optics vendors have installed full-scale production lines and have done prototype production runs. The assembly and integration of t he beampath infrastructure has been reconsidered and a new approach has bee n developed. This paper will discuss the status of the NIF project and the plans for completion. It will also include summary information on Laser Meg aJoule (LMJ) provided by M. Andre, LMJ Project Director.