National Laboratory–Private and Academic Partnerships in Fusion: A Lawrence Livermore Perspective

Since ARPA-E’s initial ALPHA program (“Accelerating Low-cost Plasma Heating and Assembly”) in 2015, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has partnered with US Academic and Private Industry interests on novel fusion energy concepts. LLNL has provided fully kinetic particle-in-cell and radiation hydrodynamic simulations; pulsed power driver development; reactor design, and suites of calibrated diagnostics to measure device performance and plasma properties – specifically, laser-based Thomson scattering, and neutronics with an emphasis of determining the thermonuclear nature of fusion neutron production. Through this work, LLNL has improved the understanding of the important physics in these devices, delivered independent assessments of concept performance and viability, and helped initiate a successful private start-up. Funding for LLNL efforts has come from a variety of sources including DOE ARPA-E, DOE SC/FES INFUSE, and direct support from US-based private industry. An overview of some of the LLNL contributions will be presented along with our perspective on supporting these private operations, and thoughts for the future.