University of Washington

The Fusion Z-pinch Experiment (FuZE) was initially designed in 2014 and 2015 at the University of Washington in Seattle as the successor to the ZaP and ZaP-HD flow z-pinch devices. Initial FuZE studies concentrated on neutron production, measurement, and analyses at up to 400 kA pinch currents. The FuZE power banks supported Z pinch lifetimes of several microseconds.

Following the incorporation of Zap Energy, the FuZE machine was moved from UW to a Zap Energy facility, pushing operation up to 500 kA pinch currents and pursuing further advancements in plasma operation. In 2022, both ion and electron temperatures in the 1-3 keV range were measured, consistent with thermal equilibrium, along with densities up to 5e17 cm-3 and pressures in the 100s of MPa. The thermonuclear nature of the neutron generation was confirmed, with axial extent of 10-50 cm. D-D neutron yields of ≈ 10e8 were observed, limited by the FuZE power bank's stored energy. In 2025 the FuZE device was decommissioned.

Current amplification of 3.9 was achieved. Toroidal current of 90 kA.

Current amplification was greater than 3. Current amplification is an important quantity for spheromaks.