Plasma Performance Advances in the Zap Energy Fusion Devices
Year: 2026
Type: conference-abstract
Abstract: Experimental research efforts at Zap Energy advance development of sheared-flow-stabilized (SFS) Z-pinch fusion energy [Levitt et al., Phys. Plasmas 30, 9 (2023)]. This fusion energy concept requires quasi-steady sustainment of a high-pressure flowing pinch, stabilized by a radially sheared profile of axial velocity. Three research platforms, FuZE-3, FuZE-Q, and FuZE-A emphasize different aspects of the concept, facilitating continuous, parallel developments necessary to advance plasma triple product and ultimately fusion gain [Shumlak et al., Fusion Sci. Technol. 80, 1 (2024)]. Recent FuZE-Q results demonstrate extended periods of pinch stability concurrently with the presence of sheared-flow profiles in the deuteron fuel ions, as measured with collective Thomson scattering. The FuZE-3 device, commissioned in 2025, compresses flow pinches to high pressure and density states through direct magnetic flux injection into the pinch assembly region. This method provides independent control of the plasma acceleration and compression processes and has resulted in the highest plasma pressures recorded so far at Zap Energy, exceeding one gigapascal. The plasma sourcing, acceleration, and pinch assembly processes are studied in detail with the FuZE-A platform to promote control of fusion-grade pinch profiles and their sustainment. Plasmas in all three devices are characterized with a sophisticated suite of diagnostics, including Thomson scattering, Faraday polarimetry, interferometry, spectroscopy, and fusion product diagnostics. Recent advances in diagnostic techniques have resulted in novel and high-fidelity inferences of the pinch density, temperature, internal magnetic structure, current, and images of the fusion source. These developments demonstrate Zap Energy's progress in plasma performance and the development of Z-pinch fusion.
Authors: Colin Adams, Jacob Banasek, Paul Campbell, Connor Castleberry, Drew Elliott, Clement Goyon, Aaron Hossack, Georges Jaar, Nischal Kafle, Ralph Kube, Ben Levitt, Chelsea Liekhus-Schmaltz, Kyle Morgan, Lucas Morton, Michael Natisin, Brian Nelson, Morgan Quinley, Steve Richardson, Christine Roark, Rachel Ryan, Uri Shumlak, Anton Stepanov, Peter Stoltz, Andrew Taylor, Whitney Thomas, Pi-En Tsai, William Young
Language: English
Subfield: Nuclear and High Energy Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7204600976