Field-Reversed Experiment (FRX-A, B, and C)
Established baseline physics and stability regimes for Field-Reversed Configurations.
01 Definition
A series of foundational Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) fusion experiments conducted at Los Alamos National Laboratory (1970s–1980s).
02 Detailed_Analysis
The Field-Reversed Experiment (FRX) series (FRX-A, FRX-B, and FRX-C) comprised seminal magnetic confinement experiments conducted at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) between the late 1970s and 1980s. These experiments demonstrated the formation of stable, high-beta FRC plasmoids in theta-pinch geometries. Crucially, FRX-C demonstrated that applying quadrupole magnetic fields could successfully stabilize the destructive n=2 rotational instability.
03 Key_Facts
- ▸ Foundational FRC experimental program at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL).
- ▸ Demonstrated anomalously long stable confinement times in high-beta plasmoids.
- ▸ Pioneered the use of quadrupole magnetic fields to suppress rotational instability.
04 Deep_Dive_Intelligence
Overview
The foundational Field-Reversed Experiments at LANL (1970s–1980s). These experiments proved the FRC possessed "anomalous stability" (lasting 100x longer than predicted) and successfully suppressed the destructive rotational instability using quadrupole magnetic fields.
Entity Type: Experiment — FRX-A, B, and C is a scientific experiment or test program.
Research Findings
FRX-A, B, and C appears in 5 research analysis documents:
Christofilos Astron Fusion 2011:
Findings: Christofilos Astron Fusion 2011
Source PDF: [Christofilos_Astron_Fusion_2011.pdf](/archive/Christofilos_Astron_Fusion_2011)
Date range: 1955-2011
Source org: LANL
Summary
Published in 2011 by researchers affiliated with Princeton University and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, this review article chroni...
Findings: FPT Plasma Spacetime 2024
Source PDF: [FPT_Plasma_Spacetime_2024.pdf](/archive/FPT_Plasma_Spacetime_2024)
Date range: 1975-2025
Source org: LANL
Summary
This technological roadmap analyzes a compartmentalized U.S. program involving Field Propulsion Technologies and Lockheed Martin focused on high-energy p...
IAEA Fusion Research Vol2 1983:
Findings: IAEA Fusion Research Vol2 1983
Source PDF: [IAEA_Fusion_Research_Vol2_1983.pdf](/archive/IAEA_Fusion_Research_Vol2_1983)
Date range: 1956-2025
Source org: LANL
Summary
This document, published by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 1983, contains the second volume of proceedings from the Ninth Int...
IAEA PlasmaPhysicsFusionResearchVol2 1983:
Findings: IAEA Plasmaphysicsfusionresearchvol2 1983
Source PDF: [IAEA_PlasmaPhysicsFusionResearchVol2_1983.pdf](/archive/IAEA_PlasmaPhysicsFusionResearchVol2_1983)
Date range: 1956-2025
Source org: LANL
Summary
This 1983 publication from the International Atomic Energy Agency presents Volume II of the proceedings from the Ninth In...
Intelligence Assessment Epstein Human Research 2020:
Findings: Intelligence Assessment Epstein Human Research 2020
Source PDF: [Intelligence_Assessment_Epstein_Human_Research_2020.pdf](/archive/Intelligence_Assessment_Epstein_Human_Research_2020)
Date range: 1958-2025
Source org: LANL
Summary
This intelligence assessment examines the strategic scientific investments of the Jeffrey Epstein net...
Source Documents
Intelligence derived from 3 source documents:
07 Related_Entities (7)
08 Timeline_Mentions (10)
Christofilos Astron experiment at LLNL
The Astron experiment established the field-reversed configuration geometry that prefigured modern FRC research.
historical-contextLANL Field-Reversed Experiment (FRX) Series
Foundational research at Los Alamos National Laboratory (FRX-A, B, C) masters the control of the n=2 rotational instability in FRCs using quadrupole magnetic fields.
fusion-physicsScylla I-C Theta Pinch Experiments
Kenneth F. McKenna reports on basic plasma physics and advanced concepts using the Scylla I-C linear theta pinch at Los Alamos.
fusion-physicsThe Foundational Science
Physicists at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) conducted the pioneering FRX-A, B, and C experiments. Led by a core team including W.T. Armstrong, R.K. Linford, and M. Tuszewski, this research est
PPPL Compact Toruses Symposium
PPPL symposium consolidating compact toroid (FRC/spheromak) research.
fusion-researchFRX-A Experiment
LANL conducts the FRX-A experiment, discovering that FRCs possess anomalous stability.
fusion-physicsDiscovery of Anomalous FRC Stability
LANL experiments FRX-A and FRX-B reveal FRCs are stable 100x longer than MHD theory predicts, though limited by n=2 rotational instabilities.
fusion-physicsFRX-A Operations Begin
The first device in the Field-Reversed eXperiment series begins studying FRC equilibrium and stability at LANL.
fusion-physicsUS-Japan Joint Symposium on Compact Toruses
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) hosted a collaborative symposium focusing on Spheromaks, FRCs, and relativistic-beam injection, marking a convergence of US and Japanese fusion programs.
fusion-physicsKen Shoulders meets Winston Bostick at APS San Diego
Ken Shoulders meets Winston Bostick at the 22nd APS Division of Plasma Physics Annual Meeting in San Diego (November 10-14, 1980). Bostick interests Shoulders in vortex filaments, directly inspiring h
Research09 FAQ
What is Field-Reversed Experiment (FRX-A, B, and C)? ▾
Why does Field-Reversed Experiment (FRX-A, B, and C) matter? ▾
When did Field-Reversed Experiment (FRX-A, B, and C) appear in the research timeline? ▾
Which entities are associated with Field-Reversed Experiment (FRX-A, B, and C)? ▾
Is there a detailed dossier for Field-Reversed Experiment (FRX-A, B, and C)? ▾
Quick_Facts
- Category
- Experiments
- Aliases
- Field-Reversed Experiment (FRX-A, B, and C), field-reversed-experiment-frx-a-b-and-c, FRX-A, FRX-B, FRX-C, FRX Series
- Sources
- 0
- Graph Entities
- 7
- Timeline Events
- 10