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Furthering our knowledge of fusion energy sources

Expanding the fundamental understanding of matter at very high temperatures and densities and to build the scientific foundation needed to develop a fusion energy source.

Expanding the fundamental understanding of matter at very high temperatures and densities and to build the scientific foundation needed to develop a fusion energy source.

The Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) program’s mission is to gain a better understanding of plasma at high densities and temperatures for fusion energy technologies.

The Los Alamos FES program conducts experimental and theoretical plasma research on high-power plasma, long-pulse plasma and foundational burning plasma.

LANL collaborations

  • Creating divertor and edge plasma diagnostics for the W7-X Stellarator facility at the Max Planck Institute in Greifswald, Germany;
  • Developing theories on advanced models for runaway electrons and disruptions in Tokomaks;
  • Participating in a multi-lab, multi-university effort to develop robust, high-fidelity simulation tools capable of predicting the plasma facing component (PFC) operating lifetime; and
  • Determining PFC impact on plasma contamination, recycling of hydrogenic species, and tritium retention in future magnetic fusion devices, with a focus on tungsten-based material systems.  

Successful projects will provide critical information needed to design a future fusion nuclear science facility planned after International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER).

  • Magnetic Fusion Experiments
  • Plasma Surface Interactions – SciDAC Partnership
  • Control of the Plasma Material Interface for Long Pulse Optimization in EAST
  • Laboratory Investigation of Fundamental Plasma-Shock Physics from Collisional to Collisionless Regimes
  • High Fidelity Kinetic Modeling of Magnetic Reconnection in Laboratory Plasmas
  • Particle Energization in Low-Beta Multi-Scale Turbulent Plasmas
  • Plasma Theory
  • General Plasma Science