Circular polarization could cut laser backscatter in fusion experiments

Experiments at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's National Ignition Facility (NIF) require breathtaking precision.

Each of the 192 lasers is focused to a width of a few millimeters to enter a 3-millimeter hole at the top or bottom of a 2-centimeter (0.8-inch) gold canister known as a hohlraum. ...