ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Explore membership for yourself or for your organization.
Conference Spotlight
2026 ANS Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
Latest Magazine Issues
Feb 2026
Jul 2025
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
March 2026
Nuclear Technology
February 2026
Fusion Science and Technology
January 2026
Latest News
Fusion energy: Progress, partnerships, and the path to deployment
Over the past decade, fusion energy has moved decisively from scientific aspiration toward a credible pathway to a new energy technology. Thanks to long-term federal support, we have significantly advanced our fundamental understanding of plasma physics—the behavior of the superheated gases at the heart of fusion devices. This knowledge will enable the creation and control of fusion fuel under conditions required for future power plants. Our progress is exemplified by breakthroughs at the National Ignition Facility and the Joint European Torus.
A.E. Robson
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 20 | Number 4 | December 1991 | Pages 858-862
Magnetic Fusion Reactors/Beam-Driven Systems | doi.org/10.13182/FST91-A11946949
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Recent developments in z-pinch stability theory and encouraging results from frozen-fiber pinch experiments have led to renewed interest in the simple linear pinch as a possible fusion system. In this paper, a zero-dimensional pinch model coupled to a realistic circuit model is used to establish a point design. It is assumed that the pinch remains stable only as long as the current is rising, and that the magnetic energy can be recovered efficiently after the pinch has gone unstable. It is then shown that a self-sustaining cycle is possible in which circuit losses are balanced by direct conversion of some of the alpha-particle energy, and no net energy input is required. The repetition rate is limited by the rate at which the helium reaction product can be pumped away. A reactor operating at 40 Hz could produce about 350 MWth from a reactor vessel 2 - 3 m in diameter.