High energy density (HED) science has critical applications for society from fusion energy to sustaining the US nuclear deterrent, while also contributing to broader scientific questions such as understanding planets and their origins.

The next decade of HED science will be instrumental to growing our understanding and in the development of new technologies and processes. Fundamental Research in High Energy Density Science identifies key challenges and science questions for the field for the coming decade and proposes ways to address them.

Table of Contents

Front Matter Executive Summary 1 High Energy Density Science: Understanding Matter at Extremes 2 Recent Progress and Opportunities 3 Opportunities and Grand Challenges 4 Human Capacity 5 International Aspects of High Energy Density Science Appendixes Appendix A: Approaches to Inertial Confinement Fusion Appendix B: Tools of High Energy Density Science Appendix C: Examples of High Energy Density Experimental Facilities in the United States Appendix D: List of All Report Recommendations Appendix E: Committee Activities Appendix F: Requests Sent to National Laboratories Appendix G: Committee Biographies