maglif
EXPERIMENT dossier

MagLIF

MagLIF

EXPERIMENT Fusion Physics Also: MagLIF, Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion

01 Executive_Summary

Sandia National Laboratories' MIF concept on the Z-Machine. Combines fuel magnetization, laser preheat, and z-pinch implosion of a fuel-filled liner. Current status (2024-2025): Up to 10^13 DD neutrons with pure deuterium fuel. Recent improvements: 18 MA current, 15 T applied field, ~2.3 kJ preheat, dielectric coatings for MRT stability. Record DD yields ~2x previous. Still below 2D simulation predictions by factor of 5+ (3D MRT instability). Generalized Lawson criterion improved by >10x. Managed by Honeywell for NNSA (contract DE-NA0003525) — dual-use weapons/energy role. Key researchers: Adam Harvey-Thompson, Matt Weis, M. Gomez, S. Slutz, D. Ampleford. Chris Grabowski (FRCHX lead physicist) moved to SNL in 2016 — personnel link between FRCHX and MagLIF. MagLIF represents the 'surviving' branch of US MTF research while FRCHX (FRC-based) was cancelled.

02 Definition

An MIF concept at Sandia National Laboratories using the Z Machine to implode a cylindrical metal liner around pre-magnetized, laser-preheated deuterium fuel.

Related terms: MIF MTF SNL Z Machine

03 Deep_Dive_Intelligence

Overview

Sandia National Laboratories' MIF concept on the Z-Machine. Combines fuel magnetization, laser preheat, and z-pinch implosion of a fuel-filled liner. Current status (2024-2025): Up to 10^13 DD neutrons with pure deuterium fuel. Recent improvements: 18 MA current, 15 T applied field, ~2.3 kJ preheat, dielectric coatings for MRT stability. Record DD yields ~2x previous. Still below 2D simulation predictions by factor of 5+ (3D MRT instability). Generalized Lawson criterion improved by >10x. Managed by Honeywell for NNSA (contract DE-NA0003525) — dual-use weapons/energy role. Key researchers: Adam Harvey-Thompson, Matt Weis, M. Gomez, S. Slutz, D. Ampleford. Chris Grabowski (FRCHX lead physicist) moved to SNL in 2016 — personnel link between FRCHX and MagLIF. MagLIF represents the 'surviving' branch of US MTF research while FRCHX (FRC-based) was cancelled.

Entity Type: Experiment — MagLIF is a scientific experiment or test program.

Technical Definition

An MIF concept at Sandia National Laboratories using the Z Machine to implode a cylindrical metal liner around pre-magnetized, laser-preheated deuterium fuel.

Related Concepts: MIF, MTF, SNL, Z Machine

Network Relationships

MagLIF connects to 4 entities in the intelligence network:

Experiments (1):

  • ← PLX: Alternative MTF approach (plasma jets vs z-pinch liner)

Organisations (2):

  • → DOE: Funded by NNSA (weapons stewardship)
  • ← NearStar Fusion: Builds on Sandia Z-Machine liner method

Programs (1):

  • ← Prometheus MIF Facility: Complementary to Sandia MagLIF

Research Findings

MagLIF appears in 5 research analysis documents:

Charles Nakhleh Nuclear Physics Stewardship 2021:

Findings: Charles Nakhleh Nuclear Physics Stewardship 2021

Source PDF: [Charles Nakhleh Nuclear Physics Stewardship 2021](/archive/Charles_Nakhleh_Nuclear_Physics_Stewardship_2021) Date range: 1992-2025 Source org: LANL

Summary

This professional dossier evaluates the career of Dr. Charles W. Nakhleh and his strategic leadership roles...

LANL AFRL MRT Instability MTF 2013:

Findings: LANL AFRL MRT Instability MTF 2013

Source PDF: [LANL AFRL MRT Instability MTF 2013](/archive/LANL_AFRL_MRT_Instability_MTF_2013) Date range: 2012-2025 Source org: LANL

Summary

This 2013 technical analysis evaluates research by Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) r...

LANL AFRL MTF Collaboration 2015:

Findings: LANL AFRL MTF Collaboration 2015

Source PDF: [LANL AFRL MTF Collaboration 2015](/archive/LANL_AFRL_MTF_Collaboration_2015) Date range: 1982-2021 Source org: LANL

Summary

This report analyzes the multi-year scientific collaboration between Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and the Air Force Research Labor...

LANL PLX Fusion Succession 2016:

Findings: LANL PLX Fusion Succession 2016

Source PDF: [LANL PLX Fusion Succession 2016](/archive/LANL_PLX_Fusion_Succession_2016) Date range: 2001-2025 Source org: LANL

Summary

This report analyzes the strategic shift at Los Alamos National Laboratory from 2001 to 2016, focusing on the transition from solid-liner Fie...

Sandia LDRD Annual Report 2015:

Findings: Sandia LDRD Annual Report 2015

Source PDF: [Sandia LDRD Annual Report 2015](/archive/Sandia_LDRD_Annual_Report_2015) Date range: 1960-2025 Source org: LANL

Summary

This 2015 annual report from Sandia National Laboratories marks the 25th anniversary of the Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD)...

Source Documents

Intelligence derived from 4 source documents:

  • APS DPP24, ZM11.1 — MagLIF status and plans
  • APS DPP24, PI02.4 — Dielectric coatings and enhanced inputs
  • Physics of Plasmas (Feb 2025) — 3D MHD simulations
  • OSTI.gov — MagLIF neutron energy spectrum measurements

05 Related_Entities (4)

DOE
organisation →
Funded by NNSA (weapons stewardship)
NearStar Fusion
organisation ←
Builds on Sandia Z-Machine liner method
PLX
experiment ←
Alternative MTF approach (plasma jets vs z-pinch liner)
Prometheus MIF Facility
program ←
Complementary to Sandia MagLIF

06 Research_Findings (5)

Finding Charles_Nakhleh_Nuclear_Physics_Stewardship_2021.md

# Findings: Charles Nakhleh Nuclear Physics Stewardship 2021 **Source PDF:** `Charles_Nakhleh_Nuclear_Physics_Stewardship_2021.pdf` **Date range:** 1992-2025 **Source org:** LANL ## Summary This professional dossier evaluates the career of Dr. Charles W. Nakhleh and his strategic leadership roles at Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories. It details his technical contributions to High Energy Density Physics (HEDP) and the Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion (MagLIF) program, which serve as

View Source PDF → Charles Nakhleh Nuclear Physics Stewardship 2021
Finding LANL_AFRL_MRT_Instability_MTF_2013.md

# Findings: LANL AFRL MRT Instability MTF 2013 **Source PDF:** `LANL_AFRL_MRT_Instability_MTF_2013.pdf` **Date range:** 2012-2025 **Source org:** LANL ## Summary This 2013 technical analysis evaluates research by Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) regarding Magneto-Rayleigh-Taylor (MRT) instabilities in Magnetized Target Fusion concepts. The report concludes that the program was primarily focused on solving fundamental plasma target lifetime is

View Source PDF → LANL AFRL MRT Instability MTF 2013
Finding LANL_AFRL_MTF_Collaboration_2015.md

# Findings: LANL AFRL MTF Collaboration 2015 **Source PDF:** `LANL_AFRL_MTF_Collaboration_2015.pdf` **Date range:** 1982-2021 **Source org:** LANL ## Summary This report analyzes the multi-year scientific collaboration between Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) regarding Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF) research. Spanning from 2001 through 2015, the document details the technical evolution of plasma injectors and liner compression experiments tha

View Source PDF → LANL AFRL MTF Collaboration 2015
Finding LANL_PLX_Fusion_Succession_2016.md

# Findings: LANL PLX Fusion Succession 2016 **Source PDF:** `LANL_PLX_Fusion_Succession_2016.pdf` **Date range:** 2001-2025 **Source org:** LANL ## Summary This report analyzes the strategic shift at Los Alamos National Laboratory from 2001 to 2016, focusing on the transition from solid-liner Field-Reversed Configuration research to the Plasma Liner Experiment led by Dr. Scott C. Hsu. It concludes that this move represents a logical technological succession to Plasma-Jet-Driven Magneto-Inert

View Source PDF → LANL PLX Fusion Succession 2016
Finding Sandia_LDRD_Annual_Report_2015.md

# Findings: Sandia LDRD Annual Report 2015 **Source PDF:** `Sandia_LDRD_Annual_Report_2015.pdf` **Date range:** 1960-2025 **Source org:** LANL ## Summary This 2015 annual report from Sandia National Laboratories marks the 25th anniversary of the Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) program, detailing internal investments in high-risk, high-value research. The document highlights scientific breakthroughs in areas such as pattern analytics (PANTHER), wind power technology (Twist

View Source PDF → Sandia LDRD Annual Report 2015

07 Key_Findings

  • ▸ Entity Type: Experiment — MagLIF is a scientific experiment or test program.
  • ▸ Related Concepts: MIF, MTF, SNL, Z Machine
  • ▸ ← PLX: Alternative MTF approach (plasma jets vs z-pinch liner)
  • ▸ → DOE: Funded by NNSA (weapons stewardship)
  • ▸ ← NearStar Fusion: Builds on Sandia Z-Machine liner method

09 Timeline_Mentions (5)

2010

Invention of MagLIF Concept

Dr. Stephen A. Slutz publishes his foundational paper in Physics of Plasmas, laying out the theoretical basis for Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion.

fusion-physics
2012

High-Gain MIF Simulation

Dr. Stephen Slutz and Dr. Roger Vesey publish simulations showing a modified MagLIF concept could achieve high energy gains.

fusion-physics
2013

Helical Structures Observed in MagLIF

Awe et al. observe significant helical structures during the implosion phase of magnetized liner inertial fusion experiments.

fusion-physics
2014

First MagLIF Neutron Production

Dr. Matthew Gomez publishes the first experimental demonstration of significant thermonuclear neutron production in an integrated MagLIF experiment.

fusion-physics
2021

HyperJet magnetized plasma jets for MTF

HyperJet Fusion's plasma-jet-driven magneto-inertial fusion approach.

fusion-research
View Full Timeline →

10 FAQ

What is MagLIF? ▾
Sandia National Laboratories' MIF concept on the Z-Machine. Combines fuel magnetization, laser preheat, and z-pinch implosion of a fuel-filled liner. Current status (2024-2025): Up to 10^13 DD neutrons with pure deuterium fuel. Recent improvements: 18 MA current, 15 T applied field, ~2.3 kJ preheat, dielectric coatings for MRT stability. Record DD yields ~2x previous. Still below 2D simulation predictions by factor of 5+ (3D MRT instability). Generalized Lawson criterion improved by >10x. Managed by Honeywell for NNSA (contract DE-NA0003525) — dual-use weapons/energy role. Key researchers: Adam Harvey-Thompson, Matt Weis, M. Gomez, S. Slutz, D. Ampleford. Chris Grabowski (FRCHX lead physicist) moved to SNL in 2016 — personnel link between FRCHX and MagLIF. MagLIF represents the 'surviving' branch of US MTF research while FRCHX (FRC-based) was cancelled.
What is MagLIF connected to? ▾
MagLIF is connected to 4 related entities in the intelligence network, including DOE, NearStar Fusion, PLX. These connections are documented through shared source documents, co-occurrence in research findings, and network graph relationships.
When did MagLIF appear in the research timeline? ▾
MagLIF is referenced in 5 timeline events, including "Invention of MagLIF Concept" (2010). The full timeline provides chronological context for all documented activities.
What source documents are available for MagLIF? ▾
4 source documents are available in the research archive, including primary source PDFs from defense research collections. These documents provide the evidentiary basis for the intelligence assessment.
What does the deep dive analysis reveal about MagLIF? ▾
The deep dive intelligence assessment provides a comprehensive analysis of MagLIF, covering strategic role, network connections, and operational significance. The analysis is derived from 4 primary source documents and cross-referenced with the network graph.

Source_Documents 4 FILES

APS DPP24, ZM11.1 — MagLIF status and plans
PDF Archive →
APS DPP24, PI02.4 — Dielectric coatings and enhanced inputs
PDF Archive →
Physics of Plasmas (Feb 2025) — 3D MHD simulations
PDF Archive →
OSTI.gov — MagLIF neutron energy spectrum measurements
PDF Archive →

External_References 4 REFS

APS DPP24, ZM11.1 — MagLIF status and plans ref
APS DPP24, PI02.4 — Dielectric coatings and enhanced inputs ref
Physics of Plasmas (Feb 2025) — 3D MHD simulations ref
OSTI.gov — MagLIF neutron energy spectrum measurements url ↗

Glossary_Sources

→ 00405985.pdf → 1123798.pdf → 1123798.pdf → 1123798.pdf → 1123798.pdf
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ID: maglif
Type: experiment
Region: main
Last updated: 2026-08-09