First Light Fusion’s Post

We’ve set a new record on the Sandia National Laboratories Z Machine! We are delighted to announce that, during our visit to Sandia National Lab in February, we unlocked a world-record for the highest quartz pressure achieved on the Z Machine, with our proprietary First Light amplifier technology. Located in Albuquerque, the Z Machine is the largest and most powerful pulsed power machine in the world. With a peak power of 80 trillion watts, more than the world’s entire electricity grid, it electromagnetically launches projectiles to higher velocities than any other facility in the world. As part of Sandia’s ‘Z Fundamental Science’ programme, we have had the opportunity to fire shots on the machine to test our amplifier technology and validate our simulations. We fired our first shot in February 2024, setting a record at the time of 1.85 terapascal (TPa). Last month, the team doubled that record – achieving an output pressure of 3.67 TPa – equivalent to 10 times the pressure at the centre of the earth. We are delighted to have further proven the capability of our unique amplifier technology – which will ultimately unlock a quicker, cheaper and simpler path to commercial fusion – the last clean energy source the world needs. Follow the link in the comments for all the details. Ryan Ramsey Mark Thomas Jonathan Skidmore Paul Holligan Guy Burdiak