Modern society arrived at where it is today through the increasing consumption of fossil fuels. The limited reserves of energy sources such as oil and coal are fast running out, while at the same time carbon dioxide is increasing worldwide, spurring global warming. One approach to solving these serious issues is through the practical application of laser nuclear fusion. Hamamatsu Photonics has taken on the challenge of developing the high-power semiconductor laser critical to achieving such fusion, and is striving to create new fields of industry through wide-ranging applications.