Primary Intelligence Asset

LANL MagnetizedTargetFusion 1994

Declassified Public record OCR verified
INTEL

Executive Summary

This document explores Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF), a middle-ground approach to fusion energy that requires much lower speeds and less power than traditional methods. It specifically details a 1994 collaboration between American and Russian scientists using explosive power generators to create and study magnetized plasma.
Analysis Confidence: High
ST_CODE: 928BE0

System Metadata

Source ID

DOC-LANL_MAG

Process Date

8/9/2026

Integrity Hash

SHA256-e5pexrualjt...

Indexer Status

COMPLETE

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INVESTIGATIVE ANALYSIS

Summary

This document explores Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF), a middle-ground approach to fusion energy that requires much lower speeds and less power than traditional methods. It specifically details a 1994 collaboration between American and Russian scientists using explosive power generators to create and study magnetized plasma.

Origin

The document was authored by Irvin R. Lindemuth of the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), specifically from the X-1 division, and was submitted to the 1st International Symposium for Evaluation of Current Trends in Fusion Research.

Purpose

The research aimed to evaluate Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF) as a viable intermediate approach between Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) and Magnetic Confinement Fusion (MCF). Scientists sought to solve the high-energy loss and high-velocity requirements of traditional fusion by using magnetic fields to insulate the fuel and reduce necessary implosion speeds.

Why It Matters

" This document is a cornerstone for investigating High Energy Density Physics (HEDP) and its overlap with sensitive aerospace/defense programs. The involvement of VNIIEF (Russia's equivalent to Los Alamos) in a joint pulsed-power project highlights the era's technology transfer and the shared interest in compact, high-yield fusion systems. It connects to the wider investigation by establishing the lineage of Magnetized Target Fusion as a credible alternative to mainstream fusion, often cited in discussions regarding advanced propulsion and compact power sources. "

Key Claims

  • › The MAGO experiment was a collaborative effort between Los Alamos National Laboratory and the All-Russian Scientific Institute for Experimental Physics (VNIIEF).
  • › Irvin R. Lindemuth was the primary author and was stationed at Los Alamos National Laboratory, X-1, MS F645 in 1994.
  • › The document claims that Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF) utilizes an embedded magnetic field to reduce thermal conductivity rather than to provide plasma confinement.
  • › The project utilized explosive pulsed power generators as the energy source to produce energetic magnetized plasma.
  • › The research was funded by the United States Department of Energy under contract W-7405-ENG-36.

Contribution to the Field

This document provides a primary record of the post-Cold War scientific bridge between the United States (LANL) and Russia (VNIIEF) regarding highly sensitive explosive pulsed-power technology and the 'MAGO' experiment.

External Primary Sources (5)

Verified external sources that corroborate the claims in this document.

patent
US Patent 9,947,420 B2 — Magnetic field plasma confinement for compact fusion power
conference 2019
Recent Achievements in the C-2W Field-Reversed Configuration Experiment — APS DPP19
TAE Technologies
paper 2019-06-05
Formation of hot, stable, long-lived field-reversed configuration plasmas on the C-2W device — Nuclear Fusion
H. Gota et al.
paper 2024-12-20
Producing entangled photon pairs and quantum squeezed states in plasmas — Physical Review E
Kenan Qu, Nathaniel J. Fisch
preprint
Producing entangled photon pairs and quantum squeezed states in plasmas — arXiv
Kenan Qu, Nathaniel J. Fisch

Full Transcript

Transcript

Page 1 of 2

INTRODUCTION

, . Los Atamoe Mtronal Lt~boratorymopmtedbyme Universwof CMiorrtieforthe Urrrfed Statee Oepertmentof Enertwundercontracl W-7405-Ef4G-3S TITLE:MAGNETIZEDTARGETFUSION-ANULTRAHIGH ENERGYAPPROACHIN ANUNEXPLOREDPARAMETER SPACE AUTHOR(S): Irvin R.Lindemuth,X-1 SUW41TTEDTO: Proceedings,1st International Symposiumfor Evaluationof Current Trendsin Fusion Research, Washington,DC,November14-18,1994 DISCLAIMER Thisreportwaspreparedasanaccounofworksponsored5Vanagencyofthe United Statca Government. N~ithcrthe United Statci Governr.,:ntnoranyagencythermf,ncranyoftheir employees,makesanywarranty,expw~orimplied,orassumesanylegal Ilabilityorresponsi- bilityforthexcuracy,cumpletcness,oruscfuhresscrfanyinformation,apparatus,pmduct,or processdisclosed,orrepresentsthatitsuscwouldnotinfringeprivatelyownedrights. Refer- encehereintoanyspecificcommercialproduct.prccess,orservicebytradename,trademark, manufacturer,orotherwisedoesnotnecessarilyconstituteorimplyitsendorsement,rccom- mendntion,orfavoringby Ore United States Governmentoranyagencyihcrcof. Theviews andopinionsofauthorsrxrrrcsscdhereindonotnazssarilystateorrdlactthoseofthe United States Governmentor lnyegc~,cythereof. Byacceplanceo!thlsart!cle,thepubllsherrx~nizesthatlhe USGovernmentrelatnsanone~cluslve,toyalty.trwlicenaelopublls~,orreproduce thepublmwdformo!Ifvscontribution,or10 lnowothers10doso,for USGovernmentpurposes The Los Alamos Naflond Laboratoryrequeslsthatfhepubhsher!dentltythm lftlcleaswork Mflwmedundertheaua Plcesofl~e U.SOeoe Wnen!of Enefoy ILIOSJWMTIIOSLos Alamos,New Mexic.87545 Los Alamos National Laboratory ‘f MASTER ~,-,Imtum Im IWU:UNIFIQ1ISl!MUMfi~ Ft WMNo S36n4 STNO2s?9$/lit @CTITLE=MAGNETIZEDTARGETFUSION: An Ultrahigh Energy Approachinan Unexplored Parameter Space @AU-Irvin R.Lindemuth @AD-Los Alamos National Laboratory X-1,MSF645 Los Alamos,NM87545 USA

Cited In (9 references)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this document? ▾
This document explores Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF), a middle-ground approach to fusion energy that requires much lower speeds and less power than traditional methods. It specifically details a 1994 collaboration between American and Russian scientists using explosive power generators to create an...
Where does this document come from? ▾
The document was authored by Irvin R. Lindemuth of the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), specifically from the X-1 division, and was submitted to the 1st International Symposium for Evaluation of Current Trends in Fusion Research.
What is the research purpose of this document? ▾
The research aimed to evaluate Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF) as a viable intermediate approach between Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) and Magnetic Confinement Fusion (MCF). Scientists sought to solve the high-energy loss and high-velocity requirements of traditional fusion by using magnetic fields to insulate the fuel and reduce necessary implosion speeds.
Where is this document cited in the investigation? ▾
This document is referenced in 9 places across the investigation: 7 Dossiers, 1 Timeline Events, 1 Research Rounds. See the "Cited In" section below for the complete list of pages that reference this document.