Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
LLNL is a U.S. national research laboratory in Livermore, California, founded in 1952, working on nuclear deterrence, fusion energy, counterterrorism, defense and energy security.
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is a United States national research laboratory founded in 1952 and based in Livermore, California. Its core mission is to apply science and technology to national security, most notably by ensuring the safety, security and effectiveness of the nation's nuclear deterrent. The Laboratory has operated for more than 70 years, evolving from its Cold War origins to address contemporary global security challenges.
Work at the Laboratory spans several technical domains: nuclear deterrence and nuclear weapons science; fusion energy and high-energy-density physics; counterterrorism and nonproliferation; defense and intelligence; energy and environmental security; and multidisciplinary science and engineering. Two long-running programmes illustrate the range of the Laboratory's work. The first is stewardship of the nation's nuclear stockpile, maintaining its safety, security and effectiveness. The second is the National Ignition Facility (NIF), a laser facility at which the Laboratory achieved fusion ignition, advancing the field of high-energy-density science.
The Laboratory describes its working culture as mission-driven and multidisciplinary, with teams collaborating across fields to address global security problems. It emphasises breakthrough science and engineering intended for societal benefit.