Experts from two analytical organizations suggest that China may be constructing a large laser-ignited fusion research center in Mianyang, located in southwestern China. This development could enhance nuclear weapons design and contribute to exploring power generation methods.
Satellite images reveal four outlying “arms” designed to house laser bays, along with a central experiment bay that will contain a target chamber for hydrogen isotopes, which the lasers will fuse to produce energy. Decker Eveleth, a researcher at the US-based CNA Corp., compares the layout to that of the US National Ignition Facility (NIF), which in 2022 achieved “scientific breakeven” by producing more energy than the lasers input.
Eveleth, working with analysts at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS), estimates that the Chinese experiment bay is approximately 50% larger than NIF’s.
This development has not been previously reported. Experts suggest that such facilities could assist in enhancing nuclear weapons designs without the need for physical testing, a critical factor in maintaining nuclear arsenals in countries with nuclear weapons programs.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs referred the matter to the relevant authorities, and its Ministry of Science and Technology did not provide a comment. The US Office of the Director of National Intelligence declined to comment.
The site of this fusion research center, known as the Laser Fusion Major Device Laboratory, was first observed in November 2020 through satellite imagery of Mianyang, which revealed a cleared plot of land designated for new research or production areas since 2010.
Fusion fuel ignition enables researchers to explore how fusion reactions work and how they might one day generate clean energy from hydrogen, the universe’s most abundant resource. Moreover, laser fusion research allows for the examination of detonation nuances, avoiding the need for explosive tests, which are prohibited under the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, to which both China and the US are signatories.
While some countries, including China, have fewer nuclear tests than others, such experiments still hold value in maintaining the safety and reliability of nuclear arsenals, particularly as testing has been banned.
China’s laser fusion research will likely contribute to scientific progress in this field. However, experts suggest that while other nations operate similar fusion research centers, there is no immediate cause for alarm.
