L D X   N e w s

The latest on the LDX project can be found on this page.

August 2012. MIT and Columbia to begin project to test models of space weather using two state-of-the-art laboratory experiments, LDX at MIT and and CTX at Columbia.

"Turbulent inward pinch of a plasma confined in a dipole magnet", Nature Physics, 1/24/2010, doi: 10.1038/NPHY51510

December 31, 2008: The first levitated experiments took place in the fall of 2007 and four experimental campaigns were carried out in 2008. In May a 10 kW klystron was put into service increasing the heating power capability from 5 to 15 kW. Experimental studies documented for the first time the formation of "natural" density profiles with equal number of particles per unit flux. This work resulted from the development of a four chord interferometer and formed the basis of a Ph.D. study (A.C. Boxer, 2008). Results were presented at the innovative confinement concept (ICC) meeting (Reno 6/08) the IAEA fusion conference (Geneva, 10/08) and in an invited presentation at the DPP meeting (Dallas, 11/08). Several journal articles are in preparation. Additionally, in December, we obtained a 1 MW transmitter (2-28 MHz) which we plan to utilize for direct ion heating.

February 9, 2007: First levitation tests were sucessfully completed. The launcher was withdrawn about 2 cm and the floating coil was levitated for approximately 40 minutes. The floating coil has 5 degrees of freedom for position and tilt. The real time digital control system utilizes an occulting position detection made up of 8 laser lines. The the coil position was maintained within 0.5 mm of the desired location. View of the coil floating and a movie of the end of the float period are available.

September 2003: The continuation proposal of LDX for FY 2004-2007 approved.

September 2006: The continuation proposal of LDX for FY 2007-2009 approved.

November 8, 2007: we completed our fourth experimental campaign with a levitated dipole and, for the first time, with all supports fully removed from the plasma. We gathered data covering a range of parameters, heating, and fueling conditions. First results will be presented at the Orlando APS meeting on 11/14/07.

LDX in the Media

As LDX is an exciting new experiment in the field of fusion research, it has attracted some attention from the media. Here are links to the internet versions of journalistic reports on LDX.

• LDX is subject of Science article by James Riordon August 6, 1999: .
• Malcolm W. Browne writes in the New York Times about various fusion concepts, including LDX. June 8, 1999: (free registration required.)
• Bruce Gellerman interviews Prof. Michael Mauel of Columbia on WBUR's "Here and Now". June 8, 1999: (no longer available online)
• "Levitated Dipole Experiment's floating magnet passes first test", August 9, 2000: MIT news
• "Levitated Dipole Magnet Test Successful", August 14, 2000: Fusion Power Associates
• "Fusion Redux, August, 2002": Popular Mechanics,
• "A Magnetosphere of ones Own", R. Metz, Dec 2004, Wired News,
• "A New Fusion Project Fires Up", M. Vatz, March 2005, Technology Review
• "Novel Fusion Device Mimics the Planets", N. Stauffer, July 2006, MIT Energy Research Council web site.
• Boston Museum of Science LDX Exhibit (7/05 through 11/06).
• Discovery channel report on LDX (6/08), "Power from a floating metal donut"
• Nasture physics related press release.

Previous Progress and Activity Reports:

• 2007 Activities
  • November 2007 First Plasma Experiments in Levitated Configuration
  • February 2007 First levitation demonstration
  • May 2007 New levitation coil
• 2006 Activities
  • December 2006 Final installations for flight
  • August 2006 Lower catcher-launcher arrives
  • June 2006 Upper launcher and occultation ring installed
  • May 2006 Levitation coil tests sucessful
  • March 2006: Levitation coil testing begins
• 2005 Activities and Construction Progress
  • March 2005: Experimental campaign at improved vacuum
  • January 2005: Experimental campaign with Helmholtz coils
• 2004 Activities and Construction Progress
  • August 2004: First plasmas achieved in LDX
  • May 2004: Floating coil cryostat test
  • March 2004: Floating coil completed
  • Jan, 2004: C-coil passes tests at MIT
• 2003 Activities and Construction Progress
  • Oct, 2003: C-coil arrives at MIT
  • Sept, 2003: F-coil arrives at MIT
  • May, 2003: C-coil leaves SINTEZ
  • April, 2003: F-coil preparing for closeout weld
  • February, 2003: C-coil test a success, L-coil delivered
  • January, 2003: C-coil ready for testing
• 2002 Activities and Construction Progress
  • December, 2002: C-coil moved to vacuum shop
  • November, 2002:
  • October, 2002: C-coil He vessel welded
  • September 2002: Continuing progress
  • August 2002: Floating coil fitup
  • June/July 2002: C-coil progress
  • May 2002: Bayonet tests
  • April 2002: F-coil final fitup; L-coil test
  • March 2002: C-coi l VPI complete
• • January 2002: C-coil VPI preparation
• 2001 Activities and Construction Progress
  • December 2001: L-coil shield complete
  • November 2001: C-coil winding complete
  • October 2001: C-coil manufacture schedule
  • August 2001: C-coil conductor manufactured
  • June 2001: He vessel receives stamp
  • May 2001: Final welding of inconel pressure vessel complete
  • March 2001: Construction update
• 2000 Activities and Construction Progress
  • December, 2000: Bumpers tested
  • November, 2000: Cryostat internal supports
  • September, 2000: Final joint in F-coil
  • July 20, 2000: F-coil conductor test success!
  • April 10, 2000: F-coil winding complete!
  • March 15, 2000: He vessel machining, F-coil winding progress ...
  • Feb 4, 2000: He vessel welding, F-coil winding incident & repairs, Alex and Darren visit Russia
  • Jan 5, 2000: F-coil winding begins, more work on F-coil cryostat, charging coil vendor selected ...
• 1999 Activities and Construction Progress
  • Nov. 8, 1999: Helium vessel work, Pb sheild prototypes, conductor repair, new launcher design ...
  • Sept 25, 1999: LDX Vacuum Vessel is leak checked and pumped
    down to < 1e10^-7 Torr
  • Sept 14, 1999: Conductor delivered, wipedown of vacuum vessel and other status.
  • July 22, 1999: LDX Vacuum Vessel is lifted and legs are attached
  • July 20, 1999: LDX Vacuum Vessel assembled
  • June 10, 1999: LDX Vacuum Vessel Begins construction & Test Cryostat pumpdown
  • May 26, 1999:
  • April 15, 1999:
  • January 25, 1999:
• 1998 Design Activities
  • Jan-May 1998