Astron
A 1960s LLNL fusion experiment proposed by Nicholas Christofilos using a relativistic electron beam to create a field-reversed configuration. A direct precursor to modern FRC research.
Verified Primary Sources
- → AVCO PlasmaRadiationShield 1967 (p. 100) — 1967 — AVCO Corporation
- → AVCO PlasmaRadiationShield 1967 (p. 103) — 1967 — AVCO Corporation
- → AVCO PlasmaRadiationShield 1967 (p. 104) — 1967 — AVCO Corporation
- → LANL Fusion Capabilities Presentation 2020 (p. 4) — 2020 — Los Alamos National Laboratory
- → LANL Fusion Capabilities Presentation 2020 (p. 5) — 2020 — Los Alamos National Laboratory
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Timeline Mentions (8)
Birth of Nicholas Christofilos
Nicholas Christofilos, the future architect of the Astron fusion project, is born in Boston to Greek parents.
Christofilos Academic Graduation
Nicholas Christofilos graduates from the National Polytechnic Institute in Athens with a degree in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering.
Christofilos Physics Self-Education
During the Nazi occupation of Greece, Christofilos begins a rigorous self-education in nuclear physics using German textbooks while supervising truck repairs.
Astron Project Inception
Nicholas Christofilos applies for an accelerator patent, and the Astron project begins at Livermore National Laboratory focusing on relativistic electron rings.
First Accelerator Patent Application
Nicholas Christofilos applies for a patent on an accelerator design similar to the synchrotron.
Christofilos Contacts Berkeley
Christofilos sends his first letter to the University of California Radiation Laboratory (UCRL) proposing improvements to accelerator performance.
Christofilos conceives strong-focusing principle for accelerators
Patented 1950. Rediscovered by Brookhaven 1952. Revolutionized accelerators. Weapons application proposed by Wilson.
Strong Focusing Principle Conceived
Christofilos writes to Berkeley delineating the 'strong focusing' or 'alternate gradient focusing' principle, which is initially ignored.