Unique target design
The First Light Fusion ‘target’ is our key proprietary and proven technology. Our unique target design has the potential to enable the commercialisation of fusion energy and offers a cheaper and quicker route to an IFE fusion power plant.
Our targets have two aspects, the amplifier and the fuel capsule. The amplifier does two things. First, it boosts the pressure of impact, causing the resulting pressure to be higher than that of the original input shock. Second, the amplifier creates convergence. This means the fuel is squashed from many directions, which is crucial for reaching the required final density for fusion.
The targets are the key technology in First Light’s approach to fusion and they are nearly all trade secrets.
Driver-agnostic
Our amplifier technology amplifies input energy delivered by a ‘driver’ machine, compressing fuel to high density and temperature to create a fusion reaction.
Our targets are compatible with multiple approaches, and can be used with any system able to produce the required drive pressure. We design our target technology to be compatible with a range of drivers, from lasers, to coil guns, electric guns, heavy ion and direct electrical connection.
AI and advanced manufacturing
At First Light, we build bespoke AI models that can rapidly predict the performance of new amplifier designs in a fraction of a second. These models learn about the landscape of design options and can be assimilated with simulations and experimental data, further improving their predictive capability.
We are also breaking new ground in advanced manufacturing, by using 3D printing techniques to ultimately produce our unique amplifier technology. We are continually finding faster, cheaper and more reliable means of producing our amplifier technology – which will ultimately enable us to produce them at the scale required for commercial fusion.
We are also constantly exploring new techniques in other advanced manufacturing techniques including micron-level precision machining, prototyping, and future additive manufacturing.