First Light Fusion demonstrates fuel compression for FLARE system

First Light Fusion demonstrated fuel compression for its proposed FLARE fusion system in experiments at its M3 pulsed-power facility, according to an account of the company's work. Its multi-shell target turns a lower-power electrical pulse into timed shock waves that compress material to high density before a separate ignition step. The company estimates that the compression driver could ultimately cost an order of magnitude less than comparable inertial-fusion systems. The experiments tested compression only; First Light says future work will move toward fuel conditions relevant to fusion and combine compression with rapid heating.