United States Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)

Having attended the panel discussion on ICF’s Tuesday, I was invited back to attend the final event arranged by the panel: a tour of the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, located across the Potomac River, a few miles away from the heart on DC (close to Boling AFB).

I arrived at the National Academy of Sciences shortly before 7:30am and checked in. The panel soon arrived and we gathered in the lobby, awaiting a shuttle bus. Around 8:15, a U.S. Navy bus arrived and we were greeted by a staff member of the Naval Research Lab (NRL). We left DC, drove past RFK stadium, across the river, and a few miles further down, along the river. As we arrived at the lab, I noticed a great deal of security present. Once we passed the checkpoint, we were issued ID badges for our tour.

We entered one of the buildings and gathered in a briefing room, containing hundreds of research volumes done at the lab over the years. We ate a small breakfast and were promptly greeted by several NRL scientists from the Laser Plasma Branch and Plasma Physics Division (many of whom I saw at Tuesday’s panel). We all introduced ourselves and were given an info packet about the lab, its history, and importance in the military/technological advances today.

Here goes: NRL serves as the U.S. Navy’s corporate research lab with over 2200 employees; among them, 750 PhD holders. It was initially thought out by Thomas Edison in 1915, who advocated for more efficient means of combating the U-boat threat in the Atlantic. The idea was good and the lab was founded in 1923. NRL has pioneered many technological advances throughout the years including: GPS, U.S. Radar, vanguard rockets, and the first recon satellite. Another core program is their energy-based research projects, ranging from methane hydrates, to laser fusion projects.

Our area of focus for the tour was concentrated on the laser-fusion project. We walked into a large lab testing area, resembling an industrial warehouse, and saw the NIKE device. It was sphere-shaped with hundreds if not thousands, of components with numerous monitors attached all throughout. I noticed all sorts of “CAUTION”, “WARNING”, “DANGER”, and “RADIATION” signs all throughout the facility and flashing lights, so I naturally felt safe and secure. I was actually able to walk up the stairs to this thing and get a better look at it. I put my hand on the device and couldn't help but wonder how much science and thought went into creating it. I was really taken away by NIKE. From there we walked into another longer room which was the NIKE laser facility. In it, were hundreds of glass mirrors placed at carefully-positioned angles to reflect the light beams generated by the laser and focus them into one concentrated area. The length of this room was nearly 100 feet, which this contraception extending the full length with all kinds of gadgets throughout.

It amazed me to see the capacity of these machines and how many parts were included in each one. Another room housed an entire computer storage/data-gathering center to collect info when the laser is fired. Thick steel-paneled doors led from each room, almost like doors you would see on a Naval ship. We saw various other facilities all throughout and finally arrived at the Electra facility. This is where the particles from the laser are “fired” so to speak, and their results recorded. Several cryogenic and specially cooled devices surrounded the device and gas vent beneath it.

It was now that one of the scientists exclaimed “We’re going to fire the laser!” Naturally thinking a possible “Austin Powers" scene, we gathered into the data-processing room where the steel doors were firmly closed. The “WARNING” and “EXTREME HAZARD” signs were now flashing as the device was powering up. Just then, a loud “BANG BANG BANG” (some 30 times) was heard, sounding like a semi-automatic gun being fired. These were the laser beams being shot into the device and, on the computer screen, we saw the beams hitting inside the collision center. Pretty cool I thought!

After this demonstration, we gathered in another conference room for lunch. I had the chance to talk with many of the scientists and physicist who do work on this project, which was pretty neat. Some of the science terms were over my head, but the concept of it all was completely fascinating. I’d never heard about this project before and consider myself quite fortunate to see some of the devices up close and see the facilities at NRL. A little after 12pm, we boarded the shuttle bus and retuned back to DC.

Epic? Yes, to say the least - I was asked a few times if I was now going to consider changing my major. I suggested that before I do I might need to take a few TYLENOLs after all the physics details.

-- KJN