Bridging the laser technology gap: advancing towards commercial direct drive inertial fusion energy

In this presentation we will navigate the journey from cutting-edge research to practical and scalable solutions, paving the way for the future of clean, commercial fusion energy. Our focus will include bridging the laser technology gap to fusion power plants through a strategic facility roadmap designed to systematically mitigate critical target physics and technology risks for direct drive Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE). This approach supports transitioning from mature flash-lamp scientific laser systems to innovative diode-pumped kJ industrial laser systems. We will introduce Focused Energy's digital twin or IFE power plant model, used for optimizing the laser architecture and system performance. Key considerations are the choice between second or third harmonic light, and the level of spectral bandwidth to stabilize laser-plasma instabilities. Additionally, we will emphasize the critical role of industrialization, volume production and robust manufacturing supply chain in improving quality, reliability, and cost-effectiveness of laser drivers on the path to fusion commercialization. Finally, we will report on our progress on early non-IFE commercial applications, such as laser-driven radiation sources.