Could We Build a Miniature Sun on Earth?

The world's largest and highest-energy laser, the National Ignition Facility (NIF). This fall NIF is conducting integrated ignition experiments that will focus the energy of 192 giant laser beams on a BB-sized target filled with hydrogen fuel. NIF's ultimate goal is to fuse the hydrogen atoms' nuclei and produce more energy than the laser energy required to spark the reaction. This is the same fusion energy process that makes the stars shine and provides the life-giving energy of the sun.