2025.9.1
We are pleased to announce the IFSA2025 Satellite Meeting, organized as part of the JSPS Core-to-Core Program.
This event will bring together leading researchers in laser fusion and high-energy-density science to exchange cutting-edge ideas and foster international collaboration.
Date and Time
Sunday, September 14, 2025, 13:00–17:00 (Hybrid format)
Venue
Tours Congress Center, Tours, France / Online
Program and Details
https://www.ile.osaka-u.ac.jp/core2corepl/2025/08/29/post-1629/index.html
The meeting will feature invited talks on advanced laser technologies, inertial fusion strategies, high-energy particle sources, and magnetic field generation. The session will conclude before the official IFSA reception at 18:00.
We welcome both on-site and online participants to join this important opportunity for discussion and collaboration.
2025.8.31
Dr. Ryunosuke Takizawa, a rising leader in the field of high-energy-density (HED) plasma physics and laser fusion, has been honored with the Chiyoe Yamanaka Award 2025. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding contributions by early-career researchers who demonstrate excellence, creativity, and leadership in advancing laser fusion and related sciences.
The Chiyoe Yamanaka Award, named after the late Dr. Chiyoe Yamanaka—renowned for her pioneering role in laser fusion research—has become one of the most significant recognitions for young scientists in the inertial fusion and high-energy-density science community. The award celebrates individuals who continue her legacy of innovation, collaboration, and commitment to pushing the frontiers of science.
As part of this recognition, Dr. Takizawa has been invited to deliver an award lecture at the International Conference on Inertial Fusion Sciences and Applications (IFSA 2025), one of the world’s premier forums for laser-plasma research, to be held in Tours, France. His invited talk will highlight his groundbreaking research in laser-driven fusion plasmas, where he has developed novel approaches to improve implosion symmetry, optimize hot-spot formation, and advance diagnostic techniques for fusion experiments.
Dr. Takizawa’s contributions have not only deepened the scientific understanding of laser–plasma interactions but also opened pathways toward achieving inertial fusion energy (IFE). His recognition with the Chiyoe Yamanaka Award underscores his role as one of the most promising young scientists shaping the future of fusion energy.
2025.8.3
Fujioka-san and Sasaki-san participated in Atomic Processes in Plasmas (APiP) 2025, held in Tokyo from July 20th to 25th. Fujioka-san delivered an invited talk titled “X-ray Spectroscopy of High Energy Density Plasmas for Inertial Fusion Energy Development,” while Sasaki-san presented a poster on “Atomic Processes in Laser-Produced Tin Plasmas for the Efficient Emission of Extreme-Ultraviolet (EUV) Radiation.”
2025.6.29
Karaki-kun’s paper is now on arXiv and is being peer-reviewed by a journal. The study tests a way to improve plasma heating by shooting the kilojoule-class, short-pulse LFEX laser—boosted to a contrast of 10^{11}—onto a thin-foil target with a gold cone. Fast-electron energy spectra and resonant X-ray emission were measured with an electron spectrometer and an X-ray spectrometer, then analyzed in PrismSPECT using a two-component electron model.
2025.6.6
Prof. Fujioka organized the topical session “Resurgence in Fusion Science and Engineering” at the 2025 Japan-America Frontiers of Engineering (JAFOE) Symposium, held in San Diego from June 1st to 4th, 2025. The sessions facilitated a wide range of fruitful discussions among leading researchers from various engineering fields in both countries.
Details available at the website.
2025.4.25
Takizawa-san’s paper has been published in Physical Review Research.
This study reports an improvement in plasma heating efficiency by relativistic electron beams (REBs) for fast ignition inertial fusion. By employing a high-contrast laser and a cone-attached target, REBs are more effectively collimated and directed into the compressed core. The high-contrast laser minimizes pre-plasma formation, enhancing beam transport. This configuration nearly doubles the plasma heating efficiency compared to conventional conditions. The results demonstrate a promising strategy to enhance energy coupling from laser to core plasma, contributing to the practical realization of fast ignition and the broader goal of achieving clean and sustainable fusion energy.
2025.4.11
From April 7 to 11, I participated in the IFE STAR 2025 conference held in Breckenridge, Colorado. This international event focused on the advancement of inertial fusion energy (IFE), with numerous participants from renowned institutions such as LLNL, LANL, SLAC, and various private companies. The conference featured thematic morning plenary sessions that covered target physics, laser driver technologies, system engineering, and diagnostics. A major emphasis was placed on transitioning IFE from experimental success—such as ignition at NIF—to practical, high-repetition-rate for better energy production. Notable sessions included the latest updates on target manufacturing, beam delivery systems, and DOE-led discussions on future national strategies. Poster sessions at the end of the day also showcased innovations in plasma diagnostics, machine learning for implosion optimization, and materials for reactor components. The event offered valuable opportunities to learn, network, and gain a deeper understanding of the global roadmap toward commercial fusion energy.
2025.4.5
Law participated in the joint ISEE workshops held at Kyoto University’s Uji Campus on March 26–27, 2024.
These workshops aimed to facilitate the sharing of cutting-edge knowledge and foster collaboration between laboratory plasma physics, including laser-produced and magnetically confined plasmas, and astrophysical plasma research, such as space plasmas and high-energy cosmic rays. Discussions particularly focused on various challenges related to particle acceleration phenomena like stochastic acceleration, as well as new methods for simulating and verifying cosmic-ray acceleration mechanisms in laboratory environments.
During the workshops, Law presented numerical simulation results regarding the generation of strong magnetic fields through laser-plasma interactions. Participants engaged in productive discussions about the challenges and possibilities that arise when actual phenomena are scaled down and examined through numerical simulations.