Atlas Pulsed Power Facility

Overview

Atlas is a 23-MJ pulsed power facility at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), later relocated to the Nevada Test Site. Atlas supports the Stockpile Stewardship Program through high-energy-density physics experiments.

Shiva Star Technology Transfer

Atlas received technology directly from Shiva Star. The IEEE paper (2016) notes: 'Modestly updated capacitors and rail-gap switches were integrated into Atlas more than a decade later.' This is a direct AFRL → LANL technology transfer for the Stockpile Stewardship Program.

Liner Experiments

Atlas was used for liner characterization experiments, including work by Peter Turchi. The Atlas overview paper (OSTI 975515) references 'liner characterization shots using a target design similar to NTLX experiments (see several papers by Turchi et al.).' This connects Turchi's liner fusion work directly to the SSP.

Relocation to Nevada Test Site

Atlas was relocated to the Nevada Test Site to 'continue its experimental program supporting the Stockpile Stewardship program.' The Nevada Test Site is the former underground nuclear testing site — Atlas's relocation there underscores its weapons stewardship mission.