At Los Alamos . . . the challenge of controlled thermonuclear energy The controlled release of fusion energy in a practical thermonuclear reactor will be an important milestone in the nuclear age. This scientific achievement is the object of PROJECT SHERWOOD . . . one of the interesting scientific investigations now under way at Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory. Pictured above is "Columbus 2 , " an early experimental device developed by Los Alamos scientists to further this study. The bright line along the axis of the tube was produced by a discharge in heated and highly conducting argon gas. This discharge was "pinched" down to a small fraction of the tube diameter by the mutual attraction of its own currents. The temperature was roughly equal to that of the sun's photosphere. When deuterium was substituted for argon, intense bursts of neutrons appeared at time A on the voltage time signatures of the pinch (above, left), providing an interesting puzzle as to their origin. The similar signatures of successive discharges indicate the degree of reproducibility that has been achieved. Detailed studies of such reproducible behavior have led to considerable advances in understanding both the dynamics and the means for stable containment of heated plasmas. At Los Alamos, in the cool mountain environment of northern N e w M e x i c o , you will find research challenges worthy of your abilities. College g r a d u a t e s in the Physical Sciences or Engineering a r e invited to write for information about the Laboratory, the attractive e m p l o y e e benefits, a n d the family living and recreational facilities of the Los Alamos a r e a . W r i t e to:
los
l&Lamos scientific laboratory O F THE U N I V E R S I T Y OP C A L I F O R N I A
LOS A L A M O S , NEW
MEXICO
DIRECTOR
OF
LOS A L A M O S DIVISION
PERSONNEL SCIENTIFIC
LABORATORY
2101
LOS A L A M O S . NEW
MEXICO
Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory is a non civil service operation of the University of California for the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission.
