In December 2022, ignition was achieved at the National Ignition Facility (NIF), marking a historic breakthrough in inertial confinement fusion.

Since then, nine subsequent experiments have demonstrated energy gains greater than one, establishing a solid foundation for fusion as a potential pathway toward a sustainable, decarbonized energy future.

Despite this remarkable progress, substantial advances are still required for inertial fusion to become a practical energy source. The fusion energy gain must increase from roughly 4 to around 100, the shot repetition rate must rise from one per day to approximately ten per second, and the target cost must decrease from about $300,000 to roughly $0.50 per unit.

Achieving these goals demands not only major technological innovations but also a deeper understanding of the complex physics that governs fusion plasmas, target design, and energy coupling.

In this seminar, I will discuss the principal physical challenges and scientific unknowns that must be addressed, and outline how the academic community—together with mid-scale laser facilities across Europe—can play a pivotal role in advancing the research and development required to realize inertial fusion energy.