Laser-based fusion as a development path for future power plants
01.06.2026
The history of technological progress is closely linked to the development of energy use. From the use of biomass, coal and oil to modern electricity systems, new energy sources have always formed the basis for economic prosperity and social development. Against this background, fusion energy is now seen by many players as a possible next step in development.
Marvel Fusion is pursuing a laser-based approach to generating energy from nuclear fusion. The company was founded in Munich in 2019 and has since raised extensive private and public funding. The aim is to develop a technological platform that addresses physical feasibility, industrial scalability and power plant feasibility together from the outset. This article provides an overview of this development approach and its key technological building blocks.
Laser fusion in a technological context
The basis of fusion energy is the fusion of light atomic nuclei, typically hydrogen isotopes, which releases energy. The natural model for this is the sun. Technologically, two main development paths have emerged: magnetic fusion and laser fusion. While magnetic fusion concepts such as ITER or Wendelstein 7-X have gained widespread visibility, laser fusion has established itself as a dynamic field of innovation in recent years.
Laser-based fusion received particular attention when an experimental net energy gain was achieved at the National Ignition Facility in the USA in 2022, releasing more energy from the direct laser-target interaction than was contained in the laser pulse. At the same time, however, it became clear that it is necessary to consider the entire system in order to achieve economically viable energy use. In particular, the conversion of electrical energy into laser energy and the efficient coupling of the laser pulse to the fuel target are key levers on the way to the power plant.
The Marvel fusion approach
This initial situation gives rise to two key areas of development. Firstly, a significant increase in laser efficiency is required. Up to now, conventional high-power lasers have only had very low electrical efficiencies. Marvel Fusion is therefore developing its own laser design with a target "socket efficiency" of around 10%, a 10-heart firing frequency and a particularly compact design. The aim is to significantly improve the conversion of electrical energy into usable laser energy.
Secondly, energy coupling into the fuel target is crucial. The approach pursued by Marvel Fusion uses nanostructured surfaces to increase the absorption of the laser light and specifically control the resulting energy conversion processes. A short laser pulse hits a nanostructured target and generates accelerated ions and radiation due to the high photon pressure. These couple into a surrounding fuel ring in which the conditions required for fusion are created.
A key feature of this concept is that the fuel can be bound in a solid material system. In contrast to classic laser-based approaches, which often require cryogenic targets, this approach enables operation under significantly less complex boundary conditions. This results in relevant advantages for handling, timing and subsequent power plant integration.
Experimental validation and scaling
The early development phase was characterized by the proof of the physical concept. For this purpose, existing high-power laser systems were used to experimentally validate partial aspects of the process step by step. In particular, the focus was on the question of how efficiently laser energy can be converted into ions and radiation in order to generate fusion reactions.
Marvel Fusion works with several international laser facilities for this purpose, including in Garching, Romania and the USA. Key steps of the concept have already been demonstrated in these experiments. The current focus is now on scaling, i.e. on the question of how increasing laser energy can be converted into a disproportionate or at least systemically sustainable fusion energy gain.
At the same time, the production of nanostructures has been significantly further developed. In collaboration with the semiconductor research institute imec, the initially highly variable structures were quickly developed into highly regular geometries and scaled up to wafer level. This was an important step from individual structures to potentially industrially scalable target production.
Laser development and demonstration infrastructure
In addition to the physical concept validation, the development of a suitable laser system is a central building block on the way to the power plant. The laser concept developed by Marvel Fusion not only aims to achieve significantly higher efficiency, but also a compact design and high firing frequency. Both properties are of great importance for the subsequent use of the power plant, as they influence both the space requirement and the cost-effectiveness of the overall system.
Two laser systems are currently under construction and are to be installed in a Technology Demonstration Facility in the USA. This infrastructure is being developed in collaboration with Colorado State University as part of a public-private partnership. The aim is to demonstrate the developed laser technology under application-oriented conditions and at the same time to further advance the experimental validation of the fusion concept.
Power plant development as a parallel process
A key feature of the development approach is that power plant development is not treated as a downstream process, but as a parallel process. The background to this is the realization that the development periods in fusion can only be shortened if physical, technological and systemic issues are dealt with simultaneously.
Against this background, Marvel Fusion is working together with Siemens Energy on the design of a first power plant pilot. As part of a pre-conceptual design study, a concept was developed in which several hundred lasers are arranged in building wings and act on a central reactor building. The radiation and heat generated in the reaction chamber are absorbed by liquid salts, which also serve to protect the reactor and transfer the energy for conversion.
Initially, conventional thermal steam cycles are deliberately used for energy conversion. This decision follows the principle of initially combining a highly innovative and risky primary technology with an established, industrially controlled secondary system. The pilot currently under consideration has an electrical output of around 100 MW.
Conclusion and outlook
Laser-based fusion has made significant progress in recent years and has established itself as a serious development path for future power plants. The Marvel Fusion approach shows that the combination of more efficient lasers, nanostructured targets, experimental validation and early power plant planning in particular enables a coherent innovation program.
At the same time, the path to commercial implementation remains challenging. The decisive factors will be a further increase in overall efficiency, the reliable scaling of physical processes, the industrial reproducibility of target production and integration into economically viable power plant concepts. The close integration of research, industrial development and strategic partnerships is an essential prerequisite for transferring fusion energy into energy industry applications in the coming decades.
