Primary Intelligence Asset

LASL Controlled Thermonuclear Research 1977

Declassified Public record OCR verified
INTEL

Executive Summary

This document is a formal progress report detailing nuclear fusion research conducted at Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory throughout 1977. It describes various experimental methods used to stabilize and heat plasma, aiming to develop a controlled thermonuclear power source.
Analysis Confidence: High
ST_CODE: FC52A4

System Metadata

Source ID

DOC-LASL_CON

Process Date

8/9/2026

Integrity Hash

SHA256-8by00jpcbcs...

Indexer Status

COMPLETE

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INVESTIGATIVE ANALYSIS

Summary

This document is a formal progress report detailing nuclear fusion research conducted at Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory throughout 1977. It describes various experimental methods used to stabilize and heat plasma, aiming to develop a controlled thermonuclear power source.

Origin

The report was produced by the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL), operated by the University of California for the United States Department of Energy (DOE). It was compiled by K.S. Thomas and G.A. Sawyer in Los Alamos, New Mexico.

Purpose

The research was conducted to advance the Controlled Thermonuclear Research (CTR) program by exploring different magnetic confinement configurations—such as Reversed-Field Pinch and Theta-Pinch—to solve the problem of plasma stability and energy loss.

Why It Matters

" This report is a primary source for tracing the lineage of Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) research, a technology often linked to high-power density energy systems and theoretical advanced aerospace propulsion. Given the existing Knowledge Graph's focus on individuals like Dr. Miley and organizations like Sandia, this LASL data bridges the gap between theoretical plasma physics and the large-scale experimental hardware developed by the DOE/DARPA ecosystem during the late 1970s. "

Key Claims

  • › The document was issued under United States Department of Energy contract W-7408-ENG.36.
  • › The report identifies the ZT-40 as a key experiment within the Reversed-Field Pinch program during the 1977 period.
  • › Specific diagnostic techniques mentioned include Scanning Infrared Heterodyne Interferometry and Thomson Scattering for plasma analysis.
  • › The Scylla IV-P linear theta-pinch experiments involved testing plasma results both with and without solid end plugs.

Contribution to the Field

This document provides a comprehensive technical snapshot of the transition from early Scyllac experiments to more advanced Field-Reversal Experiments (FRX) and the ZT-40 device, which are critical precursors to modern compact fusion reactors.

External Primary Sources (3)

Verified external sources that corroborate the claims in this document.

patent
US Patent 9,947,420 B2 — Magnetic field plasma confinement for compact fusion power
conference 2019
Recent Achievements in the C-2W Field-Reversed Configuration Experiment — APS DPP19
TAE Technologies
paper 2019-06-05
Formation of hot, stable, long-lived field-reversed configuration plasmas on the C-2W device — Nuclear Fusion
H. Gota et al.

Full Transcript

Transcript

Page 1 of 31

INTRODUCTION

LA-7474”PR Progress Report C3 l REPRODUCTION COPY IS-4REPORTSECTION LASL Controlled Thermonuclear Research Program January-December1977 - . LOSALAMOSSCIENTIFICLABORATORY Postoffice Box1663Los Alamos,New Mexico87545 ~Affiimstive Action/Equsl Opportunity Employex Thefourmostrecentreportsinthisseries, unclassified,are IA-5656-PR,LA-6044-PR, LA4582-PR,and LA-7082-PR. Thisworkwassupportedbythe USDepartment of Energy,Officeof Fusion Energy. Th,stepottwasptep.md.sanaccountetworksponsored bythe United S1.1.s Government. Netthrrthe Umled S1.1.s north. Umt.d Stiles Dtpattmenlof%er~v.nor lnyofthe{. empl.yce%nor lnyofthctrcontz.ctwf.subco.tractors,or th,tr.m Plo Y.e,.makes.nywarranty,,XP,,CSo,impl,.d.o, assume,.ny)ccalhab,l,worrespo”sib,l,ty1.,the .<CU”CY. completmrss. yusefulnessofany Inform.tie”..pp.r.tus. product.or Processdisclosed.orrer.resentsthat It.u=would notmfrmm PW.MVownednghfs. UNITEDSTATES DEPARTMENTOFENERGY CONTRACTW-7408-ENG.36 LA-7474-PR Progress Report UC-20 Issued:February1979 LASL Controlled Thermonuclear Research Program January-December1977 Compiledby K.S.Thomas G.A.Sawyer

Cited In (1 references)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this document? ▾
This document is a formal progress report detailing nuclear fusion research conducted at Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory throughout 1977. It describes various experimental methods used to stabilize and heat plasma, aiming to develop a controlled thermonuclear power source.
Where does this document come from? ▾
The report was produced by the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL), operated by the University of California for the United States Department of Energy (DOE). It was compiled by K.S. Thomas and G.A. Sawyer in Los Alamos, New Mexico.
What is the research purpose of this document? ▾
The research was conducted to advance the Controlled Thermonuclear Research (CTR) program by exploring different magnetic confinement configurations—such as Reversed-Field Pinch and Theta-Pinch—to solve the problem of plasma stability and energy loss.
Where is this document cited in the investigation? ▾
This document is referenced in 1 places across the investigation: 1 Research Rounds. See the "Cited In" section below for the complete list of pages that reference this document.