Inertial fusion energy company activates first electron-beam laser built anywhere in the world in over two decades, takes key step on path to commercialization

 

Xcimer Energy Inc. announced that it has completed the first key component of its prototype laser system, Phoenix, currently under development at its Denver facility. The newly completed Long Pulse Kinetics (LPK) platform is an electron-beam pumped excimer laser created to validate Xcimer’s modeling and design of such systems. 

Xcimer’s fusion approach, which experts recognize as having among the most viable commercialization prospects and best long-term economics, integrates proven fusion science with a novel excimer laser technology. In contrast to conventional fusion laser designs, Xcimer is pioneering the use of excimer lasers at microsecond-scale pulse lengths, significantly reducing costs while enhancing energy output. While excimer lasers are widely used in semiconductor lithography, medical and industrial applications, Xcimer is the first company to apply them to fusion energy at this scale.

“Our approach to inertial fusion energy is the only one that has been experimentally demonstrated to exceed breakeven,” said Conner Galloway, CEO and chief science officer of Xcimer. “Now, we are heads-down on building and refining our technology. The completion of our first electron-beam-pumped excimer laser demonstrates progress toward validating our design and advancing commercialization. We are well on our way to building the world’s lowest cost, highest energy laser for fusion energy.”

Inertial fusion energy involves repetitively igniting small capsules of fusion fuel  inside a vacuum  chamber to generate bursts of energy. The LPK platform serves as an experimental testbed, capable of operating under various pressures, energies, voltages and pulse lengths. Xcimer is currently collecting data from the platform, which will prove the viability of its technology and inform future design of its systems. Xcimer’s roadmap includes completion of Phoenix in 2026, and the construction of Vulcan, its next-generation facility with the highest energy laser in the world using the largest laser amplifiers ever built by 2030.

The completion of the LPK platform is Xcimer’s most significant hardware achievement at its Denver facility since securing Series A funding in June 2024. The company is part of the DOE Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program, a public-private initiative supporting key technical and commercial milestones toward a fusion pilot plant. Data from the LPK platform will contribute to Xcimer’s first milestone in this program later this year.

 

About Xcimer Energy Inc.

Xcimer is an inertial fusion company combining novel laser technology with proven science to achieve commercial deployment of fusion energy. Its approach to inertial fusion holds the best prospect for long-term economic viability. Founded in 2022 and based in Denver, Colorado, Xcimer is backed by the world’s leading climate tech investors and has been selected for funding by the U.S. Department of Energy. Its mission is to develop a source of unlimited, clean, safe and reliable energy to power the future. To learn more, visit https://xcimer.energy/. 

 

Contact:

Elissa Ehrlich for Xcimer

elissa@pinecrestcomms.com