Exploration of ignition scenarios for the 60 MA Demonstration System through the lens of MagLIF

Pacific Fusion is building the Demonstration System (DS), a pulsed-power machine storing 80 MJ and delivering 60 MA to a fusion target in ~100 ns. We endeavor to demonstrate “facility gain,” i.e., more fusion energy per shot than the energy stored in the capacitors. Our technical path builds on recent breakthroughs in inertial confinement fusion (ICF), including the achievement of ignition on the National Ignition Facility [1] and record MagLIF performance on the Z Machine. [2]

To refine our design strategies, we use MagLIF as an exemplar problem to identify accessible ignition regimes on the DS. Here, we present simulations of high-yield MagLIF implosions conducted with the FLASH code. FLASH has been validated against experimental and simulation benchmark problems relevant to magnetically driven ICF implosions. [3] Our simulations are coupled to a circuit-element representation of the DS, helping us tailor the target and transmission line geometries to optimize fusion performance. We apply established physics scaling principles to connect our ignition designs to contemporary implosion regimes demonstrated on Z, [4] leading to conservative designs capable of reaching the conditions required for ignition in pulser ICF. [5]

[1] H. Abu-Shawareb et al., PRL 129, 075001 (2022).

[2] M. R. Gomez et al., POP 32, 032702 (2025).

[3] C. L. Ellison et al., submitted to POP (2025).

[4] P. F. Schmit and D. E. Ruiz, POP 27, 062707 (2020); D. E. Ruiz et al., POP 30, 032707 (2023).

[5] A. Alexander et al., accepted to POP (2025).