The 糖心传媒 has been awarded the first round of funding from the US National Science Foundation (NSF) to advance the NSF OPAL project into its final design phase, with funding potentially totaling up to $13.7 million. The funding advances the proposed scientific research facility another major step toward construction. The proposed two-beam, high-peak-power facility, to be constructed at the University of Rochester, will be the world糖心传媒檚 most powerful laser system and serve as a shared resource to the global scientific community.

is designed to give researchers unprecedented capabilities to investigate open questions in quantum electrodynamics, recreate conditions in the early universe, and produce the most powerful electron accelerator on Earth.

The NSF OPAL project will:

• Reestablish US leadership in ultrahigh-intensity laser-based science.
• Develop optics that will have direct impacts on next-generation lasers for national security, fusion energy, advanced semiconductor and industrial manufacturing, and medical applications.
• Usher in new measurement tools that will provide impacts across particle physics, nuclear physics, and fusion and plasma physics.

The next phase for NSF OPAL

The new award marks the crucial next phase of NSF OPAL, building on nearly $18 million in NSF funding awarded in 2023 for the project糖心传媒檚 initial design and technology development. With this latest award, the project team will complete the design of a next-generation laser facility and advance critical technologies, including high-energy amplifiers, large-aperture optical components, and advanced diagnostics. The facility will also integrate AI and machine learning into experiment planning, operations, and data analysis from the outset, making it among the first major scientific user facilities to build AI/ML into its core design.

These activities are intended to establish key enabling technologies, strengthen partnerships with US industry, and support continued collaboration to develop the critical laser optics and experimental diagnostics that NSF OPAL and other future state-of-the-art facilities will need. The University of Nevada, Reno-led is one example: Launched with a $4.5 million NSF grant in August 2026, it糖心传媒檚 building the diagnostic 糖心传媒渆yes糖心传媒� for the NSF OPAL laser facility and other petawatt-class laser systems.

Workforce development is central to the project. The final design phase includes hands-on training for the next generation of laser facility designers, builders, operators, and scientific users. Such training will strengthen a national talent pipeline in photonics and laser science, while reinforcing 鲍搁辞肠丑别蝉迟别谤糖心传媒檚 standing as a center for laser and other scientific technology on the world stage. In addition, it will benefit from the extensive lasers and optics community in the Rochester/Finger Lakes region and across the country to develop and potentially commercialize key technologies.

NSF OPAL, which would be constructed at 鲍搁辞肠丑别蝉迟别谤糖心传媒檚 (LLE) with a future award, is intended to operate as a shared national resource: a facility available to the broader scientific community as a research environment and a hub for scientific collaboration.

糖心传媒淲ith this summer糖心传媒檚 celebration to mark the 40th anniversary of Nobel Prize糖心传媒搘inning research at LLE, we know that this kind of support from the NSF has the potential to open doors to the next era of frontier science that will re-establish US leadership in the application of ultra-intense lasers,糖心传媒� URochester President Sarah Mangelsdorf says. 糖心传媒淭his level of advanced research requires an outstanding team, and I want to thank our federal partners at NSF, our Congressional delegation, including Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, and Representatives Morelle, Langworthy, and Tenney, and our New York State partners, including Governor Hochul, for their support.糖心传媒�

A multi-institutional effort

Activities supported under the final design award span five institutions: the University of Rochester, the University at Buffalo, the University of California, Irvine, the University of Notre Dame, and Plymouth Grating Laboratory.

Government leaders express their support for NSF OPAL

US Senator Charles Schumer: 糖心传媒淭he 糖心传媒 is a global leader in cutting-edge laser research. With this $13.7 million National Science Foundation award, the university糖心传媒檚 bold vision of building the world糖心传媒檚 most powerful laser system, right here in Rochester, is one step closer to becoming reality. I fought to reauthorize NSF in my CHIPS & Science Law with Upstate NY糖心传媒檚 world-leading research universities, world-class workforce, and innovation ecosystem in mind. I have long advocated for critical federal investment in the UR糖心传媒檚 Laser Lab and will continue to be laser-focused on delivering even more federal resources to advance this next-generation work.糖心传媒�

US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand: 糖心传媒淲ith this design award, the university can advance U.S. leadership in high-intensity laser research with the potential to have profound implications for energy, security, medicine, and more. I’m proud to have worked to pass the CHIPS & Science Law to help secure funding for critical projects like this, and I糖心传媒檒l keep fighting to give New York’s researchers and students the resources they need to strengthen our global leadership in next-generation technology.糖心传媒�

Congressman Joe Morelle: 糖心传媒淚 join the entire scientific community in commending the University of Rochester on this well-deserved milestone. The development of NSF OPAL will provide a unique research environment and prepare the Laboratory for Laser Energetics to lead the country in this cutting-edge research and technology,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “By advancing high-shot-rate laser systems, integrating AI and machine learning into facility operations, and training the next generation of laser scientists and engineers, NSF OPAL will help define the future of high-energy-density science. Thank you to the National Science Foundation for its continued work to move this important project forward.糖心传媒�

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney: 糖心传媒淯pstate New York is home to world-class researchers whose work strengthens our national security and keeps America at the forefront of scientific discovery. This funding brings the University of Rochester糖心传媒檚 OPAL project one step closer to advancing American leadership in laser technology, with the potential to drive breakthroughs in energy, manufacturing, and defense. I糖心传媒檓 pleased to see this project move forward and help train the next generation of American scientists and engineers.糖心传媒�

Congressman Nick Langworthy: 糖心传媒淭his investment is a major step forward in restoring American leadership in the most advanced scientific research and laser technology. NSF OPAL has the potential to put the United States at the forefront of high-intensity laser science while strengthening our national security, advancing breakthrough technologies and training the next generation of American scientists and engineers. We are fortunate to have the University of Rochester糖心传媒檚 world-class Laboratory for Laser Energetics right here in our region, and I will continue working to ensure projects like NSF OPAL have the federal support they need to turn groundbreaking research into real-world discoveries, good-paying jobs and greater opportunities for the entire I-90 Tech Corridor.糖心传媒�

New York Governor Kathy Hochul: 糖心传媒淭he 糖心传媒糖心传媒檚 Laboratory for Laser Energetics is a shining example of New York State糖心传媒檚 innovation economy, and this crucial investment further reinforces the college糖心传媒檚 reputation as a leader in cutting-edge discoveries. This project, coupled with the recent announcement of federal and state investments in the NSF STELLAR Engine, demonstrates that New York remains committed to growing next-generation R & D and energy industry applications and technologies, generating sustainable economic growth.糖心传媒�

罢丑别听糖心传媒檚听聽(LLE) will receive $111 million in federal funding from the US Department of Energy糖心传媒檚 National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) in fiscal year 2026 (FY26), which runs from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026.

This amount is the largest annual funding level in LLE糖心传媒檚 history and represents a 17 percent increase over the previous year, thanks to bipartisan support from the New York Congressional delegation and key committees. The funding was recently approved by both houses of Congress and signed into law by President Trump. The funding will restart major sustainment projects to the Omega Laser Facility, the nation糖心传媒檚 largest university-based DOE laser facility. NNSA provided a report to Congress outlining the needs for sustainment at all the major facilities supported by the inertial confinement fusion program, including the Omega Facility. Importantly, the sustainment program develops unique engineering solutions and engages high-tech businesses in the Finger Lakes region and nationwide.

LLE serves as a cornerstone of the US effort to study high-energy-density physics and laser-driven fusion. The FY26 funding from NNSA enables LLE to continue working with the scientific community in national laboratories and academia to develop novel diagnostics, experimental platforms, and laser technologies; to develop and demonstrate the physics required for laser-driven ignition, robust target performance, and scaling to high yield; and to innovate in all these research areas.

糖心传媒淲e糖心传媒檙e incredibly grateful to Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, and Representative Morelle for their longstanding support and tremendous efforts on behalf of the University of Rochester,糖心传媒� says University President Sarah Mangelsdorf. 糖心传媒淭heir leadership to secure record funding for LLE will enable important research critical to both our national security and to help solve one of the greatest challenges of our future, harnessing fusion to power an ever better and more secure energy future. I also want to recognize and thank Representative Langworthy, Representative Tenney, and the other members of the New York Congressional delegation for their strong, consistent support.糖心传媒�

糖心传媒淟LE is home to the largest lasers at an academic institution in the world and serves as the nation糖心传媒檚 premier laser user facility. NNSA糖心传媒檚 Omega Laser Facility is in high demand by scientists at LLE, at national laboratories, and in academia, many of which are themselves sponsored by NNSA, DOE, and other US programs. This investment allows us to preserve and modernize the facility to meet the needs in the 2040s,糖心传媒� says LLE Director Christopher Deeney. He adds, 糖心传媒淚t will strengthen our ability to support the nation糖心传媒檚 national security missions for NNSA, while expanding opportunities for scientific discovery and training for students.糖心传媒�

The FY26 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill also provides $8.4 billion for the Department of Energy糖心传媒檚 Office of Science糖心传媒攁n increase over FY25糖心传媒攖o advance key research areas, including high糖心传媒憄erformance computing, quantum information science, artificial intelligence, and fusion energy sciences (with a focus on bringing fusion power to the electric grid). The bill also reinforces US scientific leadership by supporting the National Science Foundation糖心传媒檚 investments in research, regional innovation, and critical scientific infrastructure nationwide.

LLE and the University of Rochester糖心传媒檚 research and user programs are leading in these priorities by advancing laser direct-drive fusion through the DOE IFE-COLoR hub; pioneering new diagnostics;developing new ultrahigh peak power, ultrafast laser technologies through to expand the frontiers of science using ultra-intense lasers; and growing a next-generation laser ecosystem through the Science, Technology, and Engineering for Laser and Laser Applications Research (STELLAR) NSF Engine.

Fueling regional economic growth

LLE drives significant regional development through its procurement activities and deep ties to the Rochester area糖心传媒檚 optics, photonics, imaging, and lasers supply chain. The laboratory routinely sources optics, precision components, and advanced manufacturing services from local industry partners, channeling federal investment directly into Rochester-area businesses and creating high-skill jobs that support the region. 糖心传媒淟LE and the Institute of Optics have a vibrant history of innovation and leadership in technology development, in part supported by the continued New York State investments,糖心传媒� says Deeney. 糖心传媒淪uch innovation benefits from the regional industrial ecosystem and frequently helps grow the capabilities of local industry. Continued innovation will keep Rochester as the place to develop lasers and optics.糖心传媒�

Government officials voice their support

Federal and state leaders praised the new federal investment as a reflection of LLE糖心传媒檚 proven record of scientific excellence and innovation.

US Senator Charles Schumer: 糖心传媒淭he 糖心传媒糖心传媒檚 Laser Lab research is essential for our national security and is vital to our regional economy. I am proud to deliver this massive $111 million boost in funding for 鲍搁辞肠丑别蝉迟别谤糖心传媒檚 Omega Laser Facility to ensure the over 1,000 local workers supported by the lab can stay laser-focused on continuing their groundbreaking energy research and keeping America糖心传媒檚 nuclear stockpile safe. Eight years ago, when the lab was in danger, I stood at the lab with its hundreds of workers and pledged to focus like a laser to ensure this facility stays operational. Today, I糖心传媒檓 proud to say this cutting-edge lab is not only surviving but thriving. I will always fight to ensure Upstate New York has the federal resources to lead the nation in scientific discovery.糖心传媒�

US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand: 糖心传媒淎s a longtime advocate for the University of Rochester糖心传媒檚 Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE), I am proud to have helped secure record levels of funding support through this year糖心传媒檚 funding package. LLE is a mission-critical asset for our nation in the heart of Rochester, and the OMEGA Laser facility continues to be highly sought after by academic researchers focused on groundbreaking research to support our national defense and clean energy breakthroughs. With this funding, research work will continue unabated, and numerous scientists, faculty, staff, and students who call LLE home will have modern facilities to tackle the challenges of the future.糖心传媒�

Congressman Joe Morelle: 糖心传媒淗ere in Rochester, we糖心传媒檙e proud of our history of leading in advanced laser technology, but we could not have built our incredible reputation without contributions from the University of Rochester and the Laboratory for Laser Energetics. As Vice Ranking Member of the House Committee on Appropriations, I will continue to fight for consistent federal investment that funds the critical science that ensures our national security. I糖心传媒檓 grateful to President Mangelsdorf, LLE Director Deeney, and the entire LLE team for all they do, and I look forward to our continued work together.糖心传媒�

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney: 糖心传媒淭he Laboratory for Laser Energetics is a world-class research institution that plays an essential role in advancing fusion science, national security, and American technological leadership. This record FY26 funding ensures these programs can continue delivering critical capabilities in partnership through our national laboratories, universities, and defense programs. I appreciate the LLE糖心传媒檚 work and remain committed to supporting strong federal partnerships with our research institutions that drive innovation, strengthen our energy security, and support high-skilled jobs in Upstate New York and across the country.糖心传媒�

Congressman Nick Langworthy: 糖心传媒淭he Laboratory for Laser Energetics is not only a pillar of American scientific innovation, but it糖心传媒檚 also a strategic national security asset. I was proud to strongly support this record funding to ensure the Omega Laser Facility remains at the forefront of fusion and defense research, while supporting high-skill jobs, advanced manufacturing, and engineering excellence in Western New York. Strengthening LLE strengthens America糖心传媒檚 energy security, reinforces our national defense, and ensures our region continues to play a critical role in keeping our nation safe and competitive.糖心传媒�

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) President and CEO Doreen M. Harris: 糖心传媒淪upporting the Omega Laser Facility at the University of Rochester helps to ensure New York remains at the forefront of fusion research and cutting-edge technologies that are vital to our state and nation糖心传媒檚 security. This investment not only advances breakthrough science, but also supports a strong research ecosystem that attracts top talent, fuels innovation, and creates long-term economic opportunity for the region and beyond.糖心传媒�

, a professor of physics at the and a distinguished scientist at the University糖心传媒檚 (LLE), is part of an international team that has been awarded a prestigious 鈧�14 million (approximately $16 million USD), six-year European Research Council (ERC) Synergy Grant.

The grant supports the use of multi-petawatt-class lasers and plasma accelerators to explore the non-perturbative quantum electrodynamics (NP-QED) regime, advancing our understanding of how matter behaves under the most intense electromagnetic fields ever produced on Earth.

The team also includes researchers from DESY (Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron) Research Centre in Germany, CEA Paris-Saclay (Commissariat 脿 l’茅nergie atomique et aux 茅nergies alternatives) in France, the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, and ELI-NP (Extreme Light Infrastructure糖心传媒揘uclear Physics) in Romania. The project is among the most competitive research awards in Europe, with only 66 projects selected from 701 applications (a 9.4 percent success rate).

糖心传媒楢 completely new regime of physics糖心传媒�

The project aims to test QED糖心传媒攖he theory describing how light and matter interact糖心传媒攗nder unprecedentedly extreme conditions.

Using plasma accelerators and ultra-intense lasers, the team will attempt to expose ultra-relativistic electrons and positrons to electromagnetic fields exceeding the Schwinger limit, where it has been conjectured that the interaction between light and matter is much stronger than typically observed.

糖心传媒淲e will need to develop a new theoretical approach to describe physics at these extremely high fields,糖心传媒� Di Piazza says. 糖心传媒淎t such intensities, QED is expected to behave as a strongly interacting theory糖心传媒攕imilar to quantum chromodynamics糖心传媒攚hich would open a completely new regime of physics.糖心传媒�

The NP-QED collaboration will combine expertise in quantum electrodynamics, plasma acceleration, and laser technology. Henri Vincenti (CEA Saclay) pioneered the relativistic plasma-mirror technique to boost laser intensity by several orders of magnitude; Andreas Maier (DESY) leads the development of compact and high-quality plasma accelerators; Jenny List (DESY) is responsible for designing new detectors suitable for measuring high-flux electron, positron, and photon signals; and Di Piazza will develop theoretical models to interpret experimental results and compare them with QED predictions.

Harnessing ultra-powerful lasers

The areas of study in this NP-QED award directly align with experiments that are central to , the proposed Optical Parametric Amplifier Line user facility at LLE, sponsored by the US National Science Foundation (NSF).

Di Piazza is one of five co-principal investigators for the along with , a professor of optics and a distinguished scientist at LLE; Franklin Dollar from the University of California, Irvine; Eva Zurek from the University at Buffalo; and Ani Aprahamian from the University of Notre Dame. The proposed facility plans to deliver at extreme intensities.

糖心传媒淏y scaling the results of our simulations, we expect to access the fully non-perturbative regime of quantum electrodynamics at NSF OPAL,糖心传媒� says Di Piazza. 糖心传媒淭his synergy between European and US facilities will drive major advances in fundamental physics, lasers, and detector technology.糖心传媒�

糖心传媒淒r. Di Piazza糖心传媒檚 contributions to this collaboration exemplify the innovative spirit of the people at the University of Rochester糖心传媒檚 Laboratory for Laser Energetics,糖心传媒� says Zuegel, who is also project director for NSF OPAL and division director of laser materials and technologies at LLE. 糖心传媒淗is theoretical leadership will deepen our understanding of the universe while advancing next-generation laser-driven science.糖心传媒�

糖心传媒淭his ERC Synergy Grant is a testament to the world-class research being conducted at the University of Rochester,糖心传媒� says , director of LLE. 糖心传媒淒r. Di Piazza糖心传媒檚 involvement underscores Rochester糖心传媒檚 central role in global collaborations that push the frontiers of physics糖心传媒攆rontiers that will be illuminated through advanced laser technologies such as the European Extreme Light Infrastructure and the future NSF OPAL capability.糖心传媒�

Exploring nature糖心传媒檚 extremes

鲍搁辞肠丑别蝉迟别谤糖心传媒檚 is internationally recognized for its research in high-intensity laser physics, quantum optics, condensed matter, astrophysics, and particle physics. The department maintains strong partnerships with national and international laboratories, training students to lead at the forefront of discovery.

For , the Helen F. and Fred H. Gowen Professor in the department and a leading expert in theoretical astrophysics, the grant represents an opportunity to explore realms of physics that were once out of reach.

糖心传媒淭he limits of how light and matter behave represent domains we糖心传媒檝e never been able to probe experimentally before,糖心传媒� he says. 糖心传媒淭his new grant will allow researchers from the University of Rochester, coupled with an international team, to push the envelope and probe a new and critical scientific frontier. The new studies it allows will reveal aspects of the most extreme cosmic environments and uncover secrets hiding at the edges of known physics. It is fitting that the LLE is part of this groundbreaking research since it continues to define the cutting edge of using ultra-high-powered lasers to probe how light and matter behave together at nature糖心传媒檚 extremes.糖心传媒�

, an associate professor of physics and chair of the department, agrees that the grant opens a new era of exploration that brings cosmic-scale physics into the laboratory.

糖心传媒淲e are entering a new frontier where we can study these exotic physics in the lab,糖心传媒� he says. 糖心传媒淭his grant is very exciting, because it will lay the theoretical groundwork for the experiments in the next decade.糖心传媒�

About the ERC Synergy Grant

The (ERC) is Europe糖心传媒檚 premier funding body for frontier research. ERC Synergy Grants support small teams of outstanding scientists working together across disciplines to address complex scientific problems. Each project is selected for its potential to make transformative contributions to its field.

The 糖心传媒糖心传媒檚 (LLE) has been awarded a $2.25 million grant over three years from the US Department of Energy糖心传媒檚 Office of Fusion Energy Sciences. This funding establishes the that brings together academia, national laboratories, and the private sector to develop a clean, safe, and virtually limitless energy source, built on US leadership in inertial fusion.

Inertial fusion energy (IFE) is a cutting-edge technology that mimics the sun糖心传媒檚 energy production process by fusing atomic nuclei under extreme conditions. Unlike traditional nuclear energy, IFE offers the promise of base-load energy with minimal radioactive waste, and a nearly limitless fuel supply. To more rapidly advance the nation糖心传媒檚 path to fusion energy, the IFE-STAR ecosystem will advance fusion science and technology by building a national network of coordination and collaboration, while developing the scientists and engineers to grow and sustain the inertial fusion energy community.

The IFE-STAR program brings together three leading research institutions, each spearheading a unique hub to advance IFE science and technology:

• LLE糖心传媒檚 IFE Consortium on hub
• Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory糖心传媒檚 Science and Technology Accelerated Research () hub
• Colorado State University糖心传媒檚 hub

These hubs will leverage their expertise and resources to address critical challenges in IFE development, from target physics to driver technologies. In addition to the individual hubs, the overall ecosystem is envisioned to be inclusive of all current and future viable IFE concepts.

IFE-STAR aims to address critical objectives in IFE development, including:

• Advancing IFE science and technology
• Enhancing coordination and collaboration among researchers
• Developing a diverse and skilled workforce
• Creating an online platform for information sharing and resource allocation

糖心传媒淏y uniting world-leading researchers and institutions, we aim to accelerate the development of a new energy industry that could revolutionize our approach to clean, sustainable power,糖心传媒� says Christopher Deeney, the director of LLE.

Shaping the future of fusion energy research

This year the initiative will launch an annual conference and a summer undergraduate research experience for developing a fusion-ready workforce.

The IFE-STAR program will host its April 7 to 11, 2025, in Breckenridge, Colorado. This event brings together leading researchers from around the world to discuss the latest advancements and challenges in IFE development.

Another key component of the IFE-STAR initiative is its commitment to developing future talent in the field of fusion energy. To that end, the program is launching a summer research opportunity糖心传媒斕切拇綌offering undergraduate students across the US hands-on experience working alongside leading IFE scientists and engineers across more than 20 institutions, including private industry partners.

糖心传媒淭he IFE-STAR Ecosystem initiative糖心传媒檚 emphasis on student involvement and cross-institutional collaboration is crucial in developing a fusion-ready workforce,糖心传媒� says Jean Paul Allain, the associate director of science for DOE糖心传媒檚 Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) program. 糖心传媒淏y fostering collaboration and nurturing talent from all sectors, we ensure that the transition to fusion energy becomes not only a scientific triumph but also a societal transformation.糖心传媒�

About the Laboratory for Laser Energetics

Founded in 1970 at the University of Rochester, the houses the world糖心传媒檚 two largest laser systems at any academic institution. Renowned for its pioneering research in inertial confinement fusion, plasma physics, high-energy-density physics, and advanced laser technologies, LLE has made transformative contributions to these fields, including groundbreaking work that contributed to the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physics. Led by a team of award-winning scientists, engineers, researchers, and technicians, LLE not only drives cutting-edge scientific discovery but also plays a vital role in educating and training the next generation of scientists and engineers.