Rome, March 26, 2025

A significant step forward in nuclear fusion research: RSE and the National Institute of Optics of the National Research Council (CNR-INO) today signed a collaboration agreement to develop studies, research activities, and experimentation in the field of inertial confinement fusion (Inertial Fusion Energy – IFE).

The agreement aims to promote the development of advanced technologies for energy production through high-power lasers, also leveraging the unique capabilities provided by I-PHOQS, the largest Italian research infrastructure in the field of photonics, developed under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). Thanks to its resources, I-PHOQS will offer high-energy laser platforms needed for innovative experimentation in inertial fusion.

The agreement, which will last 36 months, includes the joint use of top-tier infrastructures, including RSE’s mechanical and structural materials characterization laboratories and, most notably, the Intense Laser Irradiation Laboratory (ILIL) of CNR-INO, an integral part of I-PHOQS.

Paolo De Natale, Acting Director of CNR-INO, highlighted the strategic importance of I-PHOQS for this collaboration:
“Thanks to I-PHOQS, our Institute has access to the most advanced high-energy laser infrastructure in Italy, an essential resource for inertial fusion experimentation. This agreement will allow us to fully exploit the capabilities of our infrastructure for the development of cutting-edge technologies and the strengthening of Italy’s scientific leadership in this sector.”

The research activities will focus on advanced simulations, high-energy particle generation, the development of measurement systems and laser plasma diagnostics, as well as the integration of artificial intelligence to optimize data management and analysis in I-PHOQS’s high-repetition laser facilities.

Leonida Antonio Gizzi, Head of the Intense Laser Irradiation Laboratory and coordinator of inertial fusion activities at CNR-INO, added: “The I-PHOQS infrastructure will enable us to carry out crucial research and training activities to consolidate Italy’s role in inertial fusion, in view of the launch of the HiPER+ program in Europe.”