Performance Improvements of the Sheared-Flow-Stabilized Z-Pinch Concept & the Development of a Next-Generation Platform

Zap Energy, Inc. (ZEI) is developing the sheared-flow-stabilized (SFS) Z-pinch as a commercially viable fusion reactor concept. The SFS Z-pinch concept [ Shumlak, J. Appl. Phys. 127 (2020) ], first developed at the University of Washington, offers the promise of a compact fusion device owing to its simple geometry and absence of magnetic field coils. Recent results from the Fusion Z-pinch Experiment (FuZE) show elevated electron temperature, >1.5 keV, ion temperature, >2.5 keV, number density, >1e17 /cc, and record neutron yield consistent with thermonuclear fusion reactions, [ Zhang et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 122 (2019) , Mitrani et al., Phys. Plasmas 28 (2021) ].