State-of-the-art, high-energy, high-power laser facilities, such as the Omega Laser Facility at the University of
Rochester's Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE), provide unique opportunities for conducting a broad range of inertial
fusion and high-energy-density physics studies. As part of the LLE National Laser Users' Facility program, a significant
portion of the shot time of the 60-beam UV 30-kJ, 30-TW OMEGA and the four-beam, petawatt-class OMEGA EP
Laser Systems is provided for external user experiments. These experiments include studies of matter compressed to
super-high densities and pressures, inertial fusion, laboratory astrophysics, relativistic plasma physics, warm-densematter
physics, and the development of advanced high-energy-density plasma diagnostic systems. Some of the
challenges, exciting results, and future opportunities for inertial fusion and high-energy-density physics research will be
presented.
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