Zap Energy Sheared-Flow-Stabilized Z-Pinch Reactor Results and Concept

The sheared-flow-stabilized (SFS) Z-pinch concept, developed at University of Washington with LLNL collaborators, is now on a path to commercialization at Zap Energy Inc. Recent experiments corroborate expected thermonuclear fusion reaction rates, as the discharge current is scaled towards compact reactor conditions. The Fusion Z-pinch Experiment (FuZE) employs high-power-handling electrodes, flexible gas injection, and independently switched capacitor bank modules to tailor the discharge current and gas distribution to establish stabilizing sheared flow and pinch current. An extensive set of diagnostics provide key measurements, with collaborators from LANL, LLNL, UBC, among others. Experimental campaigns are under way to increase the pinch current, stability duration, and DD fusion neutron production. In 2021, we achieved record pinch currents, 500 kA, record electron temperature, > 2 keV, and record ion temperature, > 2.5 keV. These efforts aim to scale the pinch current, plasma density, and plasma temperature to reach scientific breakeven by 2023 in the next-generation device FuZE-Q, which is currently being commissioned.