maglif
EXPERIMENT dossier

MagLIF

MagLIF

EXPERIMENT Fusion Physics Also: MagLIF, Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion

01 Executive_Summary

Sandia National Laboratories' MIF concept on the Z-Machine. Combines fuel magnetization, laser preheat, and z-pinch implosion of a fuel-filled liner. Current status (2024-2025): Up to 10^13 DD neutrons with pure deuterium fuel. Recent improvements: 18 MA current, 15 T applied field, ~2.3 kJ preheat, dielectric coatings for MRT stability. Record DD yields ~2x previous. Still below 2D simulation predictions by factor of 5+ (3D MRT instability). Generalized Lawson criterion improved by >10x. Managed by Honeywell for NNSA (contract DE-NA0003525) — dual-use weapons/energy role. Key researchers: Adam Harvey-Thompson, Matt Weis, M. Gomez, S. Slutz, D. Ampleford. Chris Grabowski (FRCHX lead physicist) moved to SNL in 2016 — personnel link between FRCHX and MagLIF. MagLIF represents the 'surviving' branch of US MTF research while FRCHX (FRC-based) was cancelled.

02 Definition

An MIF concept at Sandia National Laboratories using the Z Machine to implode a cylindrical metal liner around pre-magnetized, laser-preheated deuterium fuel.

Related terms: MIF MTF SNL Z Machine

03 Deep_Dive_Intelligence

Overview

Sandia National Laboratories' MIF concept on the Z-Machine. Combines fuel magnetization, laser preheat, and z-pinch implosion of a fuel-filled liner. Current status (2024-2025): Up to 10^13 DD neutrons with pure deuterium fuel. Recent improvements: 18 MA current, 15 T applied field, ~2.3 kJ preheat, dielectric coatings for MRT stability. Record DD yields ~2x previous. Still below 2D simulation predictions by factor of 5+ (3D MRT instability). Generalized Lawson criterion improved by >10x. Managed by Honeywell for NNSA (contract DE-NA0003525) — dual-use weapons/energy role. Key researchers: Adam Harvey-Thompson, Matt Weis, M. Gomez, S. Slutz, D. Ampleford. Chris Grabowski (FRCHX lead physicist) moved to SNL in 2016 — personnel link between FRCHX and MagLIF. MagLIF represents the 'surviving' branch of US MTF research while FRCHX (FRC-based) was cancelled.

Entity Type: Experiment — MagLIF is a scientific experiment or test program.

Technical Definition

An MIF concept at Sandia National Laboratories using the Z Machine to implode a cylindrical metal liner around pre-magnetized, laser-preheated deuterium fuel.

Related Concepts: MIF, MTF, SNL, Z Machine

Network Relationships

MagLIF connects to 4 entities in the intelligence network:

Experiments (1):

  • ← PLX: Alternative MTF approach (plasma jets vs z-pinch liner)

Organisations (2):

  • → DOE: Funded by NNSA (weapons stewardship)
  • ← NearStar Fusion: Builds on Sandia Z-Machine liner method

Programs (1):

  • ← Prometheus MIF Facility: Complementary to Sandia MagLIF

Research Findings

MagLIF appears in 5 research analysis documents:

Charles Nakhleh Nuclear Physics Stewardship 2021:

Findings: Charles Nakhleh Nuclear Physics Stewardship 2021

Source PDF: [Charles Nakhleh Nuclear Physics Stewardship 2021](/archive/Charles_Nakhleh_Nuclear_Physics_Stewardship_2021) Date range: 1992-2025 Source org: LANL

Summary

This professional dossier evaluates the career of Dr. Charles W. Nakhleh and his strategic leadership roles...

LANL AFRL MRT Instability MTF 2013:

Findings: LANL AFRL MRT Instability MTF 2013

Source PDF: [LANL AFRL MRT Instability MTF 2013](/archive/LANL_AFRL_MRT_Instability_MTF_2013) Date range: 2012-2025 Source org: LANL

Summary

This 2013 technical analysis evaluates research by Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) r...

LANL AFRL MTF Collaboration 2015:

Findings: LANL AFRL MTF Collaboration 2015

Source PDF: [LANL AFRL MTF Collaboration 2015](/archive/LANL_AFRL_MTF_Collaboration_2015) Date range: 1982-2021 Source org: LANL

Summary

This report analyzes the multi-year scientific collaboration between Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and the Air Force Research Labor...

LANL PLX Fusion Succession 2016:

Findings: LANL PLX Fusion Succession 2016

Source PDF: [LANL PLX Fusion Succession 2016](/archive/LANL_PLX_Fusion_Succession_2016) Date range: 2001-2025 Source org: LANL

Summary

This report analyzes the strategic shift at Los Alamos National Laboratory from 2001 to 2016, focusing on the transition from solid-liner Fie...

Sandia LDRD Annual Report 2015:

Findings: Sandia LDRD Annual Report 2015

Source PDF: [Sandia LDRD Annual Report 2015](/archive/Sandia_LDRD_Annual_Report_2015) Date range: 1960-2025 Source org: LANL

Summary

This 2015 annual report from Sandia National Laboratories marks the 25th anniversary of the Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD)...

Source Documents

Intelligence derived from 4 source documents:

  • APS DPP24, ZM11.1 — MagLIF status and plans
  • APS DPP24, PI02.4 — Dielectric coatings and enhanced inputs
  • Physics of Plasmas (Feb 2025) — 3D MHD simulations
  • OSTI.gov — MagLIF neutron energy spectrum measurements

05 Related_Entities (4)

DOE
organisation →
Funded by NNSA (weapons stewardship)
NearStar Fusion
organisation ←
Builds on Sandia Z-Machine liner method
PLX
experiment ←
Alternative MTF approach (plasma jets vs z-pinch liner)
Prometheus MIF Facility
program ←
Complementary to Sandia MagLIF

05b Related_Topics (3)

Field-Reversed Configuration
usa → russia → china → japan → israel →
Magnetized Target Fusion
usa → russia → china →
Directed Energy
usa → russia → china → israel → uk → germany → france → japan →

06 Research_Findings (5)

Finding

# Findings: Charles Nakhleh Nuclear Physics Stewardship 2021 **Source PDF:** `Charles_Nakhleh_Nuclear_Physics_Stewardship_2021.pdf` **Date range:** 1992-2025 **Source org:** LANL ## Summary This professional dossier evaluates the career of Dr. Charles W. Nakhleh and his strategic leadership roles at Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories. It details his technical contributions to High Energy Density Physics (HEDP) and the Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion (MagLIF) program, which serve as

View Source PDF → Charles Nakhleh Nuclear Physics Stewardship 2021
Finding

# Findings: LANL AFRL MRT Instability MTF 2013 **Source PDF:** `LANL_AFRL_MRT_Instability_MTF_2013.pdf` **Date range:** 2012-2025 **Source org:** LANL ## Summary This 2013 technical analysis evaluates research by Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) regarding Magneto-Rayleigh-Taylor (MRT) instabilities in Magnetized Target Fusion concepts. The report concludes that the program was primarily focused on solving fundamental plasma target lifetime is

View Source PDF → LANL AFRL MRT Instability MTF 2013
Finding

# Findings: LANL AFRL MTF Collaboration 2015 **Source PDF:** `LANL_AFRL_MTF_Collaboration_2015.pdf` **Date range:** 1982-2021 **Source org:** LANL ## Summary This report analyzes the multi-year scientific collaboration between Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) regarding Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF) research. Spanning from 2001 through 2015, the document details the technical evolution of plasma injectors and liner compression experiments tha

View Source PDF → LANL AFRL MTF Collaboration 2015
Finding

# Findings: LANL PLX Fusion Succession 2016 **Source PDF:** `LANL_PLX_Fusion_Succession_2016.pdf` **Date range:** 2001-2025 **Source org:** LANL ## Summary This report analyzes the strategic shift at Los Alamos National Laboratory from 2001 to 2016, focusing on the transition from solid-liner Field-Reversed Configuration research to the Plasma Liner Experiment led by Dr. Scott C. Hsu. It concludes that this move represents a logical technological succession to Plasma-Jet-Driven Magneto-Inert

View Source PDF → LANL PLX Fusion Succession 2016
Finding

# Findings: Sandia LDRD Annual Report 2015 **Source PDF:** `Sandia_LDRD_Annual_Report_2015.pdf` **Date range:** 1960-2025 **Source org:** LANL ## Summary This 2015 annual report from Sandia National Laboratories marks the 25th anniversary of the Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) program, detailing internal investments in high-risk, high-value research. The document highlights scientific breakthroughs in areas such as pattern analytics (PANTHER), wind power technology (Twist

View Source PDF → Sandia LDRD Annual Report 2015

07 Key_Findings

  • ▸ Entity Type: Experiment — MagLIF is a scientific experiment or test program.
  • ▸ Related Concepts: MIF, MTF, SNL, Z Machine
  • ▸ ← PLX: Alternative MTF approach (plasma jets vs z-pinch liner)
  • ▸ → DOE: Funded by NNSA (weapons stewardship)
  • ▸ ← NearStar Fusion: Builds on Sandia Z-Machine liner method

09 Timeline_Mentions (5)

2010

Invention of MagLIF Concept

Dr. Stephen A. Slutz publishes his foundational paper in Physics of Plasmas, laying out the theoretical basis for Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion.

fusion-physics
2012

High-Gain MIF Simulation

Dr. Stephen Slutz and Dr. Roger Vesey publish simulations showing a modified MagLIF concept could achieve high energy gains.

fusion-physics
2013

Helical Structures Observed in MagLIF

Awe et al. observe significant helical structures during the implosion phase of magnetized liner inertial fusion experiments.

fusion-physics
2014

First MagLIF Neutron Production

Dr. Matthew Gomez publishes the first experimental demonstration of significant thermonuclear neutron production in an integrated MagLIF experiment.

fusion-physics
2021

HyperJet magnetized plasma jets for MTF

HyperJet Fusion's plasma-jet-driven magneto-inertial fusion approach.

fusion-research
View Full Timeline → View on Network Graph →

10 FAQ

What is MagLIF? ▾
Sandia National Laboratories' MIF concept on the Z-Machine. Combines fuel magnetization, laser preheat, and z-pinch implosion of a fuel-filled liner. Current status (2024-2025): Up to 10^13 DD neutrons with pure deuterium fuel. Recent improvements: 18 MA current, 15 T applied field, ~2.3 kJ preheat, dielectric coatings for MRT stability. Record DD yields ~2x previous. Still below 2D simulation...
What role does MagLIF play in the research network? ▾
MagLIF is classified under the "Fusion Physics" category. Sandia National Laboratories' MIF concept on the Z-Machine. Combines fuel magnetization, laser preheat, and z-pinch implosion of a fuel-filled liner. Current status (2024-2025): Up to 10^13 DD...
What evidence supports the MagLIF assessment? ▾
The intelligence assessment for MagLIF is supported by 4 primary sources and 5 research findings. Key sources include "Experimental Demonstration of Fusion-Relevant Conditions in Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion", "Inertial Confinement Fusion - Pulsed-Power Science and Technology (Sandia National Laboratories)", and "An overview of magneto-inertial fusion on the Z machine at Sandia National Laboratories". These documents provide the evidentiary basis for the analysis.
How does MagLIF connect to other entities in the network? ▾
MagLIF is connected to 4 entities in the intelligence network, including DOE (organisation), NearStar Fusion (organisation), and PLX (experiment). Key relationships: DOE: Funded by NNSA (weapons stewardship), NearStar Fusion: Builds on Sandia Z-Machine liner method, ; PLX: Alternative MTF approach (plasma jets vs z-pinch liner).
What was the MagLIF experiment? ▾
Sandia National Laboratories' MIF concept on the Z-Machine. Combines fuel magnetization, laser preheat, and z-pinch implosion of a fuel-filled liner. Current status (2024-2025): Up to 10^13 DD neutrons with pure deuterium fuel. Recent improvements: 18 MA current, 15 T applied field, ~2.3 kJ preheat, dielectric coatings for MRT stability. Record...
What were the results of MagLIF? ▾
MagLIF produced 5 documented research findings. Findings: Charles Nakhleh Nuclear Physics Stewardship 2021 Source PDF: Charles_Nakhleh_Nuclear_Physics_Stewardship_2021.pdf Date range: 1992-2025 Source org: LANL Summary This professional dossier evaluates the career of Dr. Charles W. Nakhleh...
What facility hosted MagLIF? ▾
MagLIF was associated with DOE (Funded by NNSA (weapons stewardship)).
What is the technical definition of MagLIF? ▾
An MIF concept at Sandia National Laboratories using the Z Machine to implode a cylindrical metal liner around pre-magnetized, laser-preheated deuterium fuel. Related concepts: MIF, MTF, and SNL. Category: Fusion Physics.
What research findings mention MagLIF? ▾
MagLIF appears in 5 research analysis documents, including "Charles Nakhleh Nuclear Physics Stewardship 2021", "LANL AFRL MRT Instability MTF 2013", and "LANL AFRL MTF Collaboration 2015". Findings: Charles Nakhleh Nuclear Physics Stewardship 2021 Source PDF: Charles_Nakhleh_Nuclear_Physics_Stewardship_2021.pdf Date range: 1992-2025 Source org: LANL Summary This professional dossier...
What are the alternative names or aliases for MagLIF? ▾
MagLIF is also known as: MagLIF and Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion. These alternative names appear across different source documents and may reflect codenames, abbreviations, or historical references.
What external sources document MagLIF? ▾
MagLIF is documented by 4 external sources, including 2 journal article, 1 official page, and 1 technical report. Notable references include "Experimental Demonstration of Fusion-Relevant Conditions in Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion", "Inertial Confinement Fusion - Pulsed-Power Science and Technology (Sandia National Laboratories)", and "An overview of magneto-inertial fusion on the Z machine at Sandia National Laboratories".
What is the historical timeline for MagLIF? ▾
MagLIF is referenced across documents spanning 1960–2025, with activity noted in 1960, 1982, and 1992. This temporal range is derived from the primary source documents in the research archive.

Source_Documents 4 FILES

APS DPP24, ZM11.1 — MagLIF status and plans
PDF Archive →
APS DPP24, PI02.4 — Dielectric coatings and enhanced inputs
PDF Archive →
Physics of Plasmas (Feb 2025) — 3D MHD simulations
PDF Archive →
OSTI.gov — MagLIF neutron energy spectrum measurements
PDF Archive →

External_References 4 REFS

APS DPP24, ZM11.1 — MagLIF status and plans ref
APS DPP24, PI02.4 — Dielectric coatings and enhanced inputs ref
Physics of Plasmas (Feb 2025) — 3D MHD simulations ref
OSTI.gov — MagLIF neutron energy spectrum measurements url ↗

Glossary_Sources

→ 00405985.pdf → 1123798.pdf → 1123798.pdf → 1123798.pdf → 1123798.pdf

Verified_Primary_Sources 4 SOURCES

primary osti.gov journal_article
Experimental Demonstration of Fusion-Relevant Conditions in Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion
Verifies: First fully integrated MagLIF experiments on Z machine; 10 T axial magnetic field, 2.5 kJ laser preheat, 26 MA current; Up to 2x10^12 thermonuclear DD neutrons; Sandia National Laboratories
External Link ↗
primary sandia.gov official_page
Inertial Confinement Fusion - Pulsed-Power Science and Technology (Sandia National Laboratories)
Verifies: MagLIF demonstrated on Z machine; Combines fuel magnetization, laser preheat, z-pinch implosion; Computer simulations indicate potential for scientific breakeven
External Link ↗
primary iopscience.iop.org journal_article
An overview of magneto-inertial fusion on the Z machine at Sandia National Laboratories
Verifies: MagLIF first MIF concept to demonstrate fusion relevant temperatures; Significant fusion production >10^13 primary DD neutron yield; Up to 20 MA from Z machine; 60 MA next-generation pulsed-power machine for multi-MJ yields
External Link ↗
primary osti.gov technical_report
Recent Progress and Future Potential of Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion (MagLIF)
Verifies: MagLIF concept by Slutz et al.; Pulsed power approach using magnetic pressure for liner implosion; 5-10% stored energy conversion to implosion
External Link ↗
Locate on Graph ← Back to Dossiers
ID: maglif
Type: experiment
Region: main
Last updated: Research database snapshot