A simpler path to commercial fusion energy
At First Light Fusion, we create technology which will sit at the heart of the world’s first inertial fusion power plants. Partners now have the opportunity to design around unique amplifier technology. to this end. They will have the information needed to collaborate with us on power plant systems, and access to our unique amplifier technology, along with simulation and system modelling tools.
Our targets offer a less capital-intensive route to an IFE power plant, by reducing the driver requirements. By concentrating and shaping the incoming shock wave, they can reduce the complexity of the driver, and power plant.
Our amplifier technology is versatile and can be adapted to different inertial fusion energy approaches. This flexibility minimises the risks of a single approach and requires less capital than developing drivers, which many others are currently doing.
The target design is the key technology
The IFE market is advancing at rapid pace. In 2024, it received over $1 billion of funding. According to McKinsey [2022], the IFE market is expected to be worth $1.6tn by 2050.
Our targets are estimated to be around 20% of the fusion value chain. They are consumable products that will be essential to the delivery of full, commercial-scale fusion power plants. While other fusion companies also design targets, First Light uniquely has developed amplifier technology. These were born from our pioneering work in projectile fusion, which required amplification technology because of its simpler and lower-power design. With the success of IFE fusion, First Light is now focussed on enabling this type of fusion by partnering with fusion companies globally to enable them to achieve commercial fusion faster.
We are currently designing products based on our different amplifier developments, to position First Light as the leading IFE fuel supplier. Our target technology gives access to higher gain and offers a cheaper and faster route to an IFE power plant.
Partnering with us
At First Light Fusion, we also have multiple unique tool sets, including simulation codes, data science and machine learning capabilities. These are applicable across different IFE approaches – creating an advantage for the partners who work with us.
Our facilities in Oxford house the largest pulsed power driver in Europe, as well as the largest two-stage light gas gun in the UK. Our extensive suite of diagnostics allow us to better understand our experiments and inform our simulation tools.
First Light’s leading experimental capabilities mean that organisations around the world collaborate with us on leading scientific experiments. We offer an established and respected platform in fusion, with a mature network of investors, scientific and engineering advisors, academics, industrial collaborators, and national labs.
Commercial fusion will not be delivered by one company alone. We are committed to partnering and collaborating with other fusion companies, research institutions, governments, engineering companies, and established energy companies in pursuit of fusion. Together we can deliver the last clean energy source the world needs.