Experimental Advances
Advance LANL’s experimental characterization tools in conjunction with our computational advances to underwrite stockpile assessment without the need for a nuclear test.
Initiatives
- By 2030, underwrite the certification of a new weapon system with the radiographic and reactivity capabilities of the Enhanced Capabilities for Subcritical Experiments project and validated 3D calculations.
- Advance our understanding of static and dynamic mesoscale material science at existing light sources and accelerators to impact annual assessments. Provide leadership for upgrades to the Advanced Photon Source and Linac Coherent Light Source-Materials in Extreme Conditions to enable critical mesoscale materials science measurements.
- Establish and sustain leading roles in high-energy density experimental design and analysis.
- Develop and apply fundamental and empirical tools that improve the characterization of high explosives (HE) in full weapons STS regimes.
- Deliver the accelerator-related projects Enhanced Capabilities for Subcritical Experiments, Plutonium Proton Radiography, Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) Modernization and LANSCE Enhancements, Dual-Axis Hydrodynamic Test Facility Capability Expansion needed to provide essential data.
- Establish and sustain the leading role as the NNSA Accelerator Laboratory, aligning investments in LDRD, staffing, equipment, and infrastructure with LANL’s Accelerator Strategy.