Giant laser experiment powers up

Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.

Scientists in the US have finished building the National Ignition Facility - a colossal new physics experiment which aims to recreate the blistering conditions at the heart of the sun.

The laboratory intends to kick-start the reaction by focusing 192 giant laser beams on a tiny pellet of hydrogen fuel.

If it works, the experiment will show for the first time that more energy can be extracted from the process than is required to initiate it.

Footage courtesy National Ignition Facility.

Bookmark with:

What are these?

E-mail this to a friend

Editor's Choice

Improvements to the BBC News Website

Skip to top

Related BBC sites

Giant laser experiment powers up

SEE ALSO

Story Tools

Bookmark with:

MOST POPULAR VIDEO/AUDIO

Editor's Choice

PRODUCTS & SERVICES