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Since the early 1970s, NIF has been working closely with optics manufacturers like Zygo Corporation and specialist glassmaker SCHOTT to fine-tune and supply replacement parts, as well as debris and blast shields. <\/p>\n
Following December’s successful experiment, the next challenge for NIF and its partners will be to further improve tech in order to replicate and improve the reaction.<\/p>\n
Mike Farrell hopes the step forward may help foster support for further research. “The experiment changed scientific opinion. Ignition was always thought of as almost unattainable, [or something that might only happen] 40 years in the future. The result in December was eye-opening.”<\/p>\n
Back in Freiburg, Diamond Materials hopes to be able to invest more time into research. “About 20% of our team is involved in research and us two managing directors are also physicists,” says Mr Wild.<\/p>\n
“Research at the level we produce requires a lot of resources and we can’t neglect production. So we will probably continue to grow the team. After all, the research of today leads to the products of tomorrow.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n