Pulsed magnetic inertial fusion aims to achieve high-yield compression by driving a massive, fast-rising electrical current across a fuel container, generating a powerful magnetic field that inertially confines the plasma in less than 100 billionths of a second. This approach operates cyclically, similar to a combustion engine, with each pulse delivering a discrete energy yield.

Pacific Fusion, leveraging impedance-matched Marx generators for modular, highly efficient power delivery, is constructing a demonstration facility in Albuquerque designed to deliver 10 megajoules of energy to a high-energy-density target. The modular generator architecture is intended to scale by adding identical pulse-power units rather than redesigning the entire facility.

The modular generator architecture is intended to scale by adding identical pulse-power units rather than redesigning the entire facility.

Utilizing advanced premagnetization target concepts, the company projects it can achieve a thousand-fold leap in performance to reach net facility gain by 2030. CEO Eric Lander, formerly of the National Ignition Facility leadership team, has framed the facility as a bridge between scientific demonstration and reactor-scale engineering.