An overview of the diagnostic developments for M3, a 2.5 MJ low inductance capacitor discharge machine.

First Light Fusion Ltd (FLF) is a privately funded company in the early stages of researching energy generation using inertial confinement fusion. FLF currently operates a two stage light gas gun and two low inductance pulsed power drivers delivering 1 MA and 3.5 MA which are used for electromagnetic launch. Experimental campaigns are focused on validation of Hytrac and Code B, two simulation tools developed by FLF.

Ongoing pulsed power developments, simulations and experimental data feed into the design and construction of our new 2.5 MJ low inductance 200 kV capacitor discharge pulsed power driver, Machine 3 (M3). This has been designed to allow us to demonstrate fusion in the laboratory.

World class diagnostic capabilities have been established at FLF, including ultra-high speed imaging (~ 3 ns exposure), streaked spectroscopy, VISAR and dynamic x-ray radiography. Machine diagnostics include a fibre optic Faraday rotation system, V-dot and B-dot probes. This enhances our understanding of the target physics as well as electromagnetic launch techniques.

An overview of both experimental and machine diagnostics will be presented along with M3 construction and commissioning progress.