Xcimer Energy's Breakthrough Laser Technology Impresses U.S. Officials; Phoenix Prototype Nears Completion

Xcimer Energy Inc. hosted a significant delegation at its Denver facility this week, showcasing progress on its ambitious laser fusion commercialization roadmap. The visit included U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Congressman Gabe Evans of Colorado’s 8th district, accompanied by Dr. Tony Frank, Chancellor of the Colorado State University System.

Phoenix Prototype On Track for 2026 Delivery

The company has achieved a major milestone by commencing testing of what may be the most powerful KrF laser constructed this century. This cutting-edge optical system will drive the “Phoenix” pulse compression prototype—engineered to produce laser pulses capable of igniting inertial fusion fuel capsules with unprecedented precision.

According to Xcimer Energy Co-founder and CEO Conner Galloway, the Phoenix system remains on schedule and within budget for completion in the first half of 2026. This advancement represents a critical step forward in the company’s strategy to transition laser fusion technology from laboratory demonstrations to scalable commercial energy production.

Vulcan: The Next Frontier in Fusion Energy

Beyond Phoenix, Xcimer is advancing plans for Vulcan, a next-generation laser fusion facility designed to achieve the world’s highest laser energy output—up to 12 megajoules (MJ). Using the largest laser amplifiers ever constructed, Vulcan is projected to demonstrate engineering breakeven from fusion reactions in 2031, a transformative milestone for the fusion industry.

Vulcan’s laser system will surpass existing international benchmarks, including France’s Laser Megajoule facility and China’s recently completed facility in Mianyang, positioning it as the world’s brightest, highest-energy, and most powerful laser system.

Why Laser Technology Outperforms Solid State Alternatives

Xcimer’s strategic advantage lies in its novel laser architecture, which achieves significantly lower operational costs compared to solid state laser systems traditionally used in research environments like the National Ignition Facility. This cost efficiency makes commercial deployment economically viable—a critical factor in the race to grid-scale fusion energy.

The company’s approach combines the only fusion methodology scientifically demonstrated to exceed energy breakeven with laser technology specifically optimized for commercial scalability.

Multistate Competition for Vulcan’s Location

Xcimer is evaluating locations across multiple states to host the Vulcan facility, with Colorado (the company’s headquarters state), Texas, New Mexico, and California all under consideration. Beyond direct employment of physicists, technicians, and support staff, the facility would catalyze broader regional economic development through infrastructure investment and workforce expansion.

Communities and utilities nationwide are competing aggressively with proposals, recognizing that hosting Vulcan could establish a region as a high-tech hub for energy innovation, advanced research, and emerging industries—from data centers to medical research facilities.

America’s Fusion Leadership: From Labs to Commercial Reality

The historical context underscores the significance of Xcimer’s work. In 1988, researchers from Lawrence Livermore and Los Alamos demonstrated that inertial fusion could achieve commercially relevant performance. December 2022 marked another breakthrough when the National Ignition Facility achieved scientific breakeven using laser inertial fusion—the only fusion approach to date to surpass this threshold.

Xcimer was founded in 2022 by Conner Galloway and Alexander Valys, both plasma physics experts trained at MIT and previously employed at Los Alamos National Lab. The company now employs over 150 professionals, primarily based in Denver, with additional manufacturing operations in Tucson, Arizona.

Government Endorsement and Future Implications

Secretary Wright emphasized the national importance of fusion energy, stating it will “unleash America’s full potential and help power the industries of the future.” Rep. Evans highlighted the national security and economic dimensions, underscoring how clean nuclear fusion technology strengthens American competitiveness globally.

The convergence of private capital investment, government support, and proven scientific breakthroughs suggests laser fusion commercialization may accelerate more rapidly than previously anticipated.