Ground was officially broken this month on one of Colorado State University’s most ambitious fusion energy facilities: the Advanced Laser Facility for Extreme Photonics (ALEPH) . Funded with $150 million through a public-private partnership between CSU and Marvel Fusion, the facility promises to become a global benchmark for research.
The ATLAS project is inaugurated
The project, known as ATLAS (Advanced Technology Lasers Facility for Applications and Science), aims to explore laser-powered fusion energy, an energy source that could offer clean, virtually unlimited power . Expected to be completed in mid-2026, the new center will feature an upgraded version of an ultra-high-power laser developed at CSU , along with two new lasers provided by Marvel Fusion.
The groundbreaking event was attended by CSU President Amy Parsons and senior officials including Geraldine Richmond, Under Secretary for Science and Innovation at the U.S. Department of Energy. President Parsons noted that the university has been a leader in laser research for decades, and that this new project will continue to strengthen its position in the field of advanced laser technology.
Fusion energy: The future of sustainability
Using high-powered lasers to achieve nuclear fusion has been one of the most ambitious goals of modern science. This process recreates the reactions that occur in the sun, fusing atoms and releasing massive amounts of energy without producing dangerous nuclear waste. If successful, fusion energy could redefine global energy sources, offering a carbon-free alternative.
The ATLAS facility will be designed to fire energy bursts with impressive precision, achieving 7 petawatts of power at a focal point the size of a human hair . This level of control will enable breakthroughs in the field of fusion energy as well as applications such as medicine, microchip design and fundamental research.
Marvel Fusion: Key Partnership for Success
The collaboration with Marvel Fusion is a key part of the project’s development. The company, a leader in nuclear fusion technology, has invested heavily in this facility due to CSU’s long history of success in laser research.
In addition, this alliance will allow external researchers and students to access state-of-the-art equipment, fostering the development of the next generation of scientists and technicians specializing in fusion and laser technology.
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Source and photos: Colorado State University
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