plx
Summary
LANL experiment for Plasma-Jet-Driven Magneto-Inertial Fusion (PJMIF). 3m diameter spherical chamber, 36 plasma guns, 0.25 MJ total stored energy, ~10 μs shots, densities up to 10^17 cm^-3. 36 supersonic plasma jets at ~50 km/s form argon liner that compresses magnetized target. Key innovation: 'tangled magnetic field' target does NOT suffer from MHD instabilities found in spheromaks or FRCs. Simulations show compression to >1 keV possible. Published in Physics of Plasmas (October 2024). Partners: HyperJet Fusion Corp, NearStar Fusion, UAH (Cassibry), Univ. of New Mexico. ARPA-E BETHE funded. Commercialization roadmap: industry day July 30, 2025. Key personnel: S.C. Hsu (LANL, former ARPA-E ALPHA director), F. Chu, S.J. Langendorf, A.L. LaJoie. Fundamentally different MTF approach — plasma jets instead of solid liners (FRCHX, MagLIF) or lasers (NIF).
Deep Dive Analysis
Overview
LANL experiment for Plasma-Jet-Driven Magneto-Inertial Fusion (PJMIF). 3m diameter spherical chamber, 36 plasma guns, 0.25 MJ total stored energy, ~10 μs shots, densities up to 10^17 cm^-3. 36 supersonic plasma jets at ~50 km/s form argon liner that compresses magnetized target. Key innovation: 'tangled magnetic field' target does NOT suffer from MHD instabilities found in spheromaks or FRCs. Simulations show compression to >1 keV possible. Published in Physics of Plasmas (October 2024). Partners: HyperJet Fusion Corp, NearStar Fusion, UAH (Cassibry), Univ. of New Mexico. ARPA-E BETHE funded. Commercialization roadmap: industry day July 30, 2025. Key personnel: S.C. Hsu (LANL, former ARPA-E ALPHA director), F. Chu, S.J. Langendorf, A.L. LaJoie. Fundamentally different MTF approach — plasma jets instead of solid liners (FRCHX, MagLIF) or lasers (NIF).
Entity Type: Experiment — PLX is a scientific experiment or test program.
Technical Definition
An experiment using converging plasma jets to form a spherically converging liner for MTF/MIF. PLX succeeded FRCHX in the LANL FRC/MTF lineage.
Related Concepts: MTF, MIF, FRCHX, HyperJet
Network Relationships
PLX connects to 5 entities in the intelligence network:
Experiments (1):
Organisations (2):
- → HyperJet Fusion: Commercial partner
- → NearStar Fusion: Commercial partner
Persons (1):
- → Jason Cassibry: UAH modeling collaborator
Programs (1):
Source Documents
Intelligence derived from 4 source documents:
Key Findings
- ▸ Entity Type: Experiment — PLX is a scientific experiment or test program.
- ▸ Related Concepts: MTF, MIF, FRCHX, HyperJet
- ▸ → MagLIF: Alternative MTF approach (plasma jets vs z-pinch liner)
- ▸ → HyperJet Fusion: Commercial partner
- ▸ → NearStar Fusion: Commercial partner
Related Entities (5)
hyperjet-fusion
nearstar-fusion
jason-cassibry
arpa-e-alpha
maglif
Network Graph
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View in Network GraphTimeline Mentions (12)
PLX Facility Construction Begins
Dr. Scott C. Hsu leads the construction of the Plasma Liner Experiment (PLX) at LANL, pivoting toward PJMIF technology.
fusion-physicsPLX Facility Construction
The Plasma Liner Experiment (PLX) facility is constructed at LANL, marking a shift toward Plasma-Jet-Driven Magneto-Inertial Fusion.
fusion-physicsPLX Supersonic Plasma Jet Characterization
The Plasma Liner Experiment (PLX) completes characterization of merging supersonic argon plasma jets, a potential standoff driver for magneto-inertial fusion.
fusion-physicsFRCHX closeout and PLX succession
FRCHX program closeout; FRC/MTF lineage transitions to PLX and the CFR black track.
defense-programsStrategic Pivot to PJMIF and PLX-alpha
Dr. Scott C. Hsu becomes lead PI for the ARPA-E PLX-α project, solidifying a pivot from solid-liner MTF to plasma-jet driven fusion.
fusion-physicsDr. Hsu Leads PLX-alpha
Dr. Scott Hsu becomes the lead PI for the ARPA-E sponsored PLX-alpha project, solidifying the pivot to PJMIF.
personnelPLX-Alpha and PJMIF Development
Scott C. Hsu details the Plasma Liner Experiment-ALPHA (PLX-alpha) and the development of Plasma-Jet-Driven Magneto-Inertial Fusion (PJMIF) as a low-cost pathway to fusion.
fusion-physicsPLX Upgrade to 36 Guns
The Plasma Liner Experiment at LANL is scheduled for an upgrade to a full set of 36 plasma guns.
fusion-physicsPLX demonstrates spherical plasma liner formation
36 jets form argon liner. Tangled field target avoids FRC/spheromak instabilities. Physics of Plasmas publication.
fusion-researchPLX Commercialization Call
Triad National Security releases a call for partners to commercialize the Plasma Liner Experiment (PLX) from LANL.
historical-contextPLX Agreement Execution
Target date for the execution of technology transfer agreements for the relocation of the PLX platform.
historical-contextPLX Fusion Benchmark
Projected milestone for PLX to achieve deuterium target compression toward fusion-relevant parameters.
fusion-physicsGlossary Definition
An experiment using converging plasma jets to form a spherically converging liner for MTF/MIF. PLX succeeded FRCHX in the LANL FRC/MTF lineage.
Category: Fusion Physics View in Glossary →Source Documents (4)
Research References
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