Xcimer Energy Advances Laser Fusion Progress in Major Meeting with U.S. Energy Leadership

Prototype “Phoenix” System Reaches Critical Testing Phase; Full Deployment Target Set for 2026

Xcimer Energy Inc. made significant strides in its commercialization efforts this week as its Denver research facility hosted U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Colorado Representative Gabe Evans for a comprehensive technology demonstration. The briefing, which also featured Chancellor of Colorado State University System Dr. Tony Frank, highlighted the company’s achievement in commencing tests on one of the most powerful KrF lasers constructed in recent decades.

The breakthrough comes after Xcimer completed an initial phase of its “Phoenix” pulse compression prototype — a developmental laser system engineered to produce the precise optical characteristics necessary for igniting inertial fusion fuel capsules. Co-founder and CEO Conner Galloway confirmed during the meeting that Phoenix development remains aligned with its original schedule and budget parameters, with full operational status anticipated in H1 2026.

The Next-Generation Vulcan Facility and Long-Term Vision

Beyond the near-term Phoenix milestone, Xcimer has set its sights on constructing Vulcan, a next-generation laser fusion facility designed to achieve unprecedented energy output. The company projects completion of this facility by 2030, targeting engineering breakeven — the pivotal moment when fusion reactions produce more energy than required to initiate them — by 2031.

Vulcan represents a substantial technological leap, incorporating laser amplifiers of unprecedented scale to deliver up to 12 megajoules of energy. Once operational, it will position itself as the world’s most powerful laser system, surpassing comparable facilities including France’s Laser Megajoule and China’s recently commissioned installation in Mianyang.

Strategic Site Selection Underway Across Multiple States

The company is actively evaluating locations for Vulcan across several states including Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, and California. This multistate site selection process reflects growing interest from regional utilities and communities seeking to attract this flagship facility. Beyond direct employment of physicists and technical staff, Vulcan’s location could catalyze broader economic development, potentially attracting data centers, advanced manufacturing operations, and research institutions seeking proximity to cutting-edge fusion infrastructure.

Why Laser Fusion Matters for Energy Independence

Laser fusion stands as the only fusion methodology scientifically proven to generate net-positive energy output. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s National Ignition Facility demonstrated this capability in December 2022, achieving scientific breakeven through inertial confinement fusion. Xcimer’s approach builds on this foundation, combining experimentally validated hotspot-ignited laser-inertial fusion with proprietary laser architecture that significantly reduces costs compared to solid-state systems deployed at national laboratories.

Secretary Chris Wright underscored the strategic importance during his visit, stating: “Fusion on our energy grid will unleash America’s full potential and help power the industries of the future. Xcimer shows how America’s private sector can build on our nation’s unique public-sector breakthroughs and commercialize them — not just for future generations, but in our lifetimes.”

Building America’s Fusion Leadership

Xcimer, founded in 2022 by Conner Galloway and Alexander Valys — both former Los Alamos National Lab researchers with MIT backgrounds in plasma physics — currently employs over 150 professionals with its primary operations based in Denver. The company maintains additional manufacturing capabilities in Tucson, Arizona. With backing from leading climate technology investors and Department of Energy support, Xcimer is positioning itself at the forefront of America’s race toward commercial fusion energy deployment.

The company’s trajectory suggests the next five years will prove decisive for demonstrating whether private-sector laser fusion can transition from laboratory achievement to grid-scale power generation — a transformation that could reshape global energy markets.