Measured as the ratio of energy put into the fuel to energy released from fusion. For example, the Lawrence Livermore labs experiment released 2.5 MJ of energy from an input of 2.1 MJ, which gives an efficiency of 1.19:1.
Source:
Looks like LLNL did another test on July 30th but haven't yet finished the analysis, so resolving to "No".
Except for LLNL, nobody said working on scientific doubling.
It takes 8 days for LLNL to share breakthrough, 17 days to report something publishable. Therefore guess November 19 experiment were not successful. December 19 experiment is unlikely to publish during holidays.
Only reasonably pending 2023 experiment was done on December 4, it's chances for report will fade over next week.
https://lasers.llnl.gov/news/llnls-nif-delivers-record-laser-energy
8 months from the first time to the next. 2 months. 1 month. I strongly expect to see another shot before the end of the year.
@EvanDaniel NIF supposedly had two more shots: one nov 19, and different approach shot (maglin) on nov 21. John Karry promised some fusion related announcement on Dec 5.
@DanielWatsonb6c9 I'll say that the analysis and proving out of the result is part of demonstrating the result, so the result needs to be announced in 2023
Summary as related to this question:
The actual first shot at the new 2.2 MJ level should be in November, 2023.
There will be several shots at the 2.2 MJ level from 2023-2025. These tests could achieve 2.6- to 6 X gain.
Need to wait till November.
https://www.nextbigfuture.com/2023/09/scaling-nif-laser-fusion-to-2030.html
@a2bb yes, energy put into the fuel (as in the question) different from energy put in the lasers.
Take into account arbitraging to https://manifold.markets/JamesBills/will-scientists-at-the-nif-produce which is 52%...
Significant part:
NIF is currently upgrading its lasers to 2.2 megajoules
Computer simulations suggest that the output energy could potentially range to as high as seven megajoules.
https://zbr.com.mx/sin-categoria-es/new-advances-in-laser-fusion-generate-more-energy/203183/
Lots of overlap with this question: https://manifold.markets/JamesBills/will-scientists-at-the-nif-produce?r=SmFtZXNCdWNoYW5hbg
The numbers in that Guardian article are out of date. The actual yield from the December shot was over 1.53:1. https://www.ft.com/content/4ff76541-ebdc-43ed-bf4e-4faa75fcf2f9