Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has special capabilities for meeting some of the nation’s broader challenges in fundamental science and advanced technology. These capabilities and related facilities are a consequence of Livermore’s overall size and the need for scientific expertise and technologies that do not exist elsewhere because of our national security mission. For example, the Laboratory has capabilities to develop diagnostics and instrumentation for detecting, measuring, and analyzing a wide range of physical events. We also have expertise to support innovative efforts in advanced materials, precision engineering, micro- and nanofabrication, nondestructive evaluation, complex-system control and automation, and chemical, biological, and photon processes.
Our special capabilities are being applied to meet the nation’s challenges in fundamental science and advanced technology, including:
Laser guide star for
Keck II telescope
Astrophysics
and Space Science.In partnership with many other scientific institutions, we make important advances in astrophysics and space science by applying the Laboratory’s special expertise in high-energy-density physics, nuclear fusion, instrumentation and diagnostics, and scientific computing and data management. Livermore researchers participate in a wide range of observational, technology development, and theoretical activities.
High-Energy Physics and Technology for Experiments. For international high-energy physics, the Laboratory contributes to innovative approaches to accelerator design and detector systems as well as strong capabilities in engineering, precision manufacturing, multidisciplinary project management. We have been part of projects to develop the B Factory at the Stanford Linear Accelerator (SLAC), the PHENIX detector at Brookhaven National Laboratory, and detectors for Fermi National Laboratory’s Main Injector Neutrino Oscillation Search (MINOS) experiment. The Laboratory is also developing technologies for the Next Linear Collider and the Linac Coherent Light Source, and it is pursuing an experiment to detect axions.
Microelectronics
and Optoelectronics. The Laboratory’s strengths in microelectronics and optoelectronics help us meet the demands for enhanced surveillance of aging nuclear weapons and advanced diagnostics for experimental programs. Our expertise is leading to many applications in advanced lithography, semiconductor processing and process modeling, electronics packaging, communication and computing systems, and biotechnology and healthcare.
Simulation of
dislocations in
copper metal
Advanced
Materials and Materials Science. Our work in materials science ranges from fundamental research on the properties of materials to the engineering of novel materials at the atomic or near-atomic levels. Extensive nanoscience
programs support the Laboratory’s long-range missions in national security. Aerogels and nanoengineered multilayer materials developed at Livermore have tremendous implications for new products and future Laboratory programs. Fundamental research for DOE Office of Science includes projects in metallurgy and ceramics, solid-state physics, and materials chemistry. In addition, through a combination of multiscale modeling and experiments, we are improving our understanding of material deformations and radiation effects on materials.
High-Performance
Computing. With several of the world’s most powerful computers acquired through NNSA’s Advanced Simulation and Computing Program and institutional investments in unclassified supercomputers, Livermore has unparalleled capabilities in scientific computing that offer the potential for revolutionizing scientific discovery. Through various collaborative efforts for sponsors that include DOE Office of Science, we conduct basic research in computational science. Areas of focus include high-performance computing, computational physics, scalable algorithm development, numerical mathematics, and data management, mining, and visualization.
Laser
Science and Technology. With the National
Ignition Facility (NIF), the Laboratory has outstanding
capabilities in high-energy and high-power
solid-state lasers. One area of attention is
the development and application of high-average-power,
ultrashort-pulse laser technology and hardware.
Livermore developed the first petawatt laser system
and is now home to the Titan laser. One of the critical
enabling technologies was the development large-aperture
diffraction gratings with a high damage threshold.
The technology was applied to NIF, and we have been
developing and fabricating large-aperture diffraction
optics for others.
Precision
Manufacturing Technologies. The Laboratory has considerable capabilities in advanced manufacturing technologies, ranging from femtosecond laser machining to precision manufacturing and control. For example, the Laboratory is a world leader in precision engineering and in developing precision manufacturing systems. Livermore has invented a number of new metrological devices such as the absolute interferometer, which is able to measure errors in the surfaces of optical parts to the thickness of just a few atoms.