Focused Energy Bets Big on Laser Fusion with $40M Laser Purchase
Fusion energy startup Focused Energy has secured two of the world’s most powerful lasers in a landmark deal, signaling a major leap forward in its quest for commercial fusion power. The cutting-edge systems will anchor the company’s new research facility currently under construction in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The Laser Powerhouse Behind Fusion Ambitions
- Record-Breaking Capacity: Each laser delivers over 1 kilojoule of energy per pulse – among the highest-power systems ever held by a private company
- Strategic Investment: The $40 million acquisition from French laser specialist Amplitude Laser represents critical infrastructure for inertial confinement fusion research
- Facility Scale: A single laser system occupies 1,600 square feet – comparable to a small house
“These aren’t just tools – they’re technology demonstrators for our future fusion pilot plant,” explained Doug Hammond, Focused Energy’s VP of Laser Engineering. The company is simultaneously developing next-generation amplifiers to push performance boundaries further.
Inertial Confinement: The Proven Path to Net-Positive Fusion
Focused Energy’s approach builds on the National Ignition Facility’s (NIF) 2022 breakthrough – the first-ever demonstration of net energy gain from fusion. However, commercial viability demands radical improvements:
| Research Facility | Shot Frequency | Commercial Target |
|---|---|---|
| NIF | ~300 shots/year | Focused Energy’s Goal: 10 shots/second |
| Current Lasers | ~1 shot/minute | Future Systems: Continuous operation |
“The physics is proven,” said CEO Scott Mercer. “Now we’re engineering the impossible – reliable, repetitive systems that outperform today’s research tools by orders of magnitude.”
The Manufacturing Challenge Ahead
Scaling up presents unprecedented supply chain hurdles:
- Global diode production would need massive expansion to support even a single commercial plant
- Bespoke engineering currently limits production speed (“Nobody mass-produces lasers this powerful,” noted Amplitude CEO Damien Buet)
- 2035 target for grid connection depends on solving manufacturing bottlenecks
Mercer remains optimistic: “Fusion isn’t just about scientific breakthroughs anymore. It’s about industrializing those breakthroughs at planet-scale.” The company’s laser acquisition marks a pivotal step toward making commercial fusion power a reality.
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