Alastair Philip Wiper Visits The National Ignition Facility

BY 6 September 2023

Nuclear fusion has long been seen as the sought-after solution in sustainable energy due to its abundant fuel and waste-free nature. In December of last year, a monumental breakthrough in nuclear fusion research occurred at The National Ignition Facility, based at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, California. For the first time, the facility achieved a reaction that generated more energy than was input.

This triumph caught the eye of British photographer Alastair Philip Wiper (based in Copenhagen, Denmark), whose ongoing personal project documents the diverse application of nuclear physics. For his book and exhibition, he has been exploring the stigma behind the word “nuclear.” The National Ignition Facility had been on Alastair’s radar for a long time, as it is home to the world’s highest-energy laser system. He contacted the communications department at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and they agreed to cooperate on his project.

After completing the shoot, I showed the story to the photo editor of Scientific American, Monica Bradley, who I have collaborated with before, and they published it.

The National Ignition Facility feature in Scientific American by Alastair Philip Wiper

An image inside the Laser Bay — _{Inside the Laser Bay}

Alastair had little collaboration with The National Ignition Facility in pre-planning, just arranging a time and a date to shoot.

They have a very professional communications department. I also looked through as many existing photos and maps of the facility as possible.

Concrete shield door at the National Ignition Facility — _{Concrete shield door, weighing up to 200,000 pounds each, are used to trap neutrons inside the Target Bay}

Since the project was a personal one, Alastair didn’t feel influenced or concerned with brand identity.

I normally don’t think too much about the goal for images when I plan projects like this – I follow my nose, and if I think there is something I want to see somewhere, I photograph it. Something always comes out of doing things that way, but I don’t always know what it will be.

An image of wires connected to a metal structure: forty-eight final optics assemblies — _{Forty-eight final optics assemblies}

As one of the US’ most important federally funded national security laboratories, The National Ignition Facility has vast top-secret activity. To gain access, Alastair underwent security clearance procedures and completed essential documentation. Breanna Bishop, the lab’s Director of Strategic Communications, led Alastair through the facility. He was able to meet scientists there, and was able to stop whenever he wanted to take a photograph.

Everything was very calm and quiet until a loud siren suddenly started blaring, and we were told we needed to leave the area within 15 minutes as an experiment was starting!

An image of the Master Oscillator room — _{NIF laser pulses are born in the Master Oscillator room}

Aside from Breanna, Alastair was also joined by his assistant Mark.

It was a very relaxed energy, although I didn’t have all the time in the world, so I knew I had to get as much quality as possible in the limited timeframe.

_{Seen from above, each of NIF’s two identical Laser Bays}

Alastair only had three hours of shooting time, meaning he couldn’t linger.

I couldn’t spend much time setting up lights and moving things around. There was no scout; we just walked through the facility and stopped when I needed to, so the preparation I could do was also minimal. But this is quite normal for me on a non-commercial shoot; I am used to working in this way.

Optical switching technology shows wires connected to various ports — _{Optical switching technology using electrooptic materials controlled by high voltage pulsers}

I managed to get every shot I wanted. I knew I could go back there again if I needed more time, but I didn’t know when that would be; so happy to get it all done in one session!

_{Exterior of the NIF Target Chamber, within the Target Bay}

In his work, Alastair examines the needs and wants of humanity while constantly challenging the habitual perception of beauty. He does this by highlighting the inadvertent aesthetics of science with a striking style defined by lines and symmetry, color, and contrast – often mixed with a sprinkle of pathos.

Laser Bay. 96 large high voltage pulsers by Alastair Philip Wiper — _{Inside the Laser Bay. 96 large high voltage pulsers}

The facility fitted well into the experienced photographer’s style, with the contrast between its usage of testing nuclear facilities – some of the most destructive arms ever created by humankind – and its simultaneous use as one of the world’s leading nuclear fusion experiments. This compelling juxtaposition advances a force that could ironically save humanity.

Apart from all the technology and the enormous scale, the controversial aspects of the facility are really interesting. This duplicity is fascinating to me.