arXiv subjects

Samuel E. Wurzel

Publications and source records attributed to Samuel E. Wurzel.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Retrospective on the Design and Implementation of the Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program of the U.S. Department of Energy

This paper provides a detailed account of the origins, objectives, design, and implementation of the Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program, a public-private-partnership (PPP) program launched by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science in September 2022. The purpose of this program is multi-faceted, with policy, scientific and technological (S&T), and commercialization objectives. Tactically, the program supports privately funded fusion companies in closing S&T gaps toward delivering preliminary engineering designs of their demonstration fusion plants (aka "fusion pilot plants"). The program is a key element of a shift in U.S. fusion strategy, initiated in 2022, to accelerate fusion commercialization by leveraging PPPs. The design of the Milestone Program was underpinned by its authorizing legislation and the U.S. National Academies report Bringing Fusion to the U.S. Grid (2021), and drew inspiration from other PPP programs discussed in this paper. Finally, the paper provides the authors' perspectives and reflections on the strengths/weaknesses of the program as implemented, implementation barriers, and lessons learned, with the intent to inform future PPP programs in fusion and other energy/technology disciplines.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2025

Continuing progress toward fusion energy breakeven and gain as measured against the Lawson criteria

This paper is an update to our earlier paper ''Progress toward fusion energy breakeven and gain as measured against the Lawson criterion'' [Phys. Plasmas 29, 062103 (2022)]. Plots of Lawson parameter and triple product vs. ion temperature and triple product vs. date achieved are updated with recently published experimental results. A new plot of scientific energy gain vs. date achieved is included. Additionally, notes on new experimental results, clarifications, and a correction are included.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2022

Progress toward fusion energy breakeven and gain as measured against the Lawson criterion

The Lawson criterion is a key concept in the pursuit of fusion energy, relating the fuel density $n$, pulse duration $τ$ or energy confinement time $τ_E$, and fuel temperature $T$ to the energy gain $Q$ of a fusion plasma. The purpose of this paper is to explain and review the Lawson criterion and to provide a compilation of achieved parameters for a broad range of historical and contemporary fusion experiments. Although this paper focuses on the Lawson criterion, it is only one of many equally important factors in assessing the progress and ultimate likelihood of any fusion concept becoming a commercially viable fusion-energy system. Only experimentally measured or inferred values of $n$, $τ$ or $τ_E$, and $T$ that have been published in the peer-reviewed literature are included in this paper, unless noted otherwise. For extracting these parameters, we discuss methodologies that are necessarily specific to different fusion approaches (including magnetic, inertial, and magneto-inertial fusion). This paper is intended to serve as a reference for fusion researchers and a tutorial for all others interested in fusion energy.

physics.plasm-ph↗