A comparison of MagLIF: Status and plans to improve performance*

The Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion (MagLIF) concept combines fuel magnetization, laser preheat and compression of a fuel-filled liner with a pulsed power driver to achieve thermonuclear yields [1] [2]. Recent work has focused on improving the performance of experiments by increasing inputs (current drive, applied magnetic field [3] and preheat energy [4]) and improving the implosion velocity and stability with dielectric-coated liners [5]. The combined improvements resulted in yields approximately a factor 2 greater than the highest previously reported. Further improvements may be possible that increase the yield by optimizing the liner height, incorporating anti-mix layers, and utilizing novel materials to improve implosion stability and stagnation confinement. This talk aims to summarize this progress and relate it to the potential for MagLIF to achieve high yields on future facilities.

 

[1]: S. A. Slutz et al., Physics of Plasmas 17, 056303 (2010)

[2]: M. R. Gomez et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 155003 (2014)

[3]: M. R. Gomez et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 125(15), 155002 (2020)

[4]: A. J. Harvey-Thompson et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 94, 053506 (2023)

[5]: D. J. Ampleford et al., Physics of Plasmas 31(2), 022703 (2024)