![The water section of Z was replaced during the Z Refurbishment Project in 2007. The water section of Z was replaced during the Z Refurbishment Project in 2007.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121016193934im_/http://www.sandia.gov/z-machine/wp-content/gallery/nexgen-gallery/thumbs/thumbs_zaccel-rennovate.jpg)
![Shane Speas loads hardware for an upcoming shot on Z. Shane Speas loads hardware for an upcoming shot on Z.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121016193934im_/http://www.sandia.gov/z-machine/wp-content/gallery/nexgen-gallery/thumbs/thumbs_shane-spies-small.jpg)
![The top of the Z center section contains multiple diagnostic instruments. The top of the Z center section contains multiple diagnostic instruments.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121016193934im_/http://www.sandia.gov/z-machine/wp-content/gallery/nexgen-gallery/thumbs/thumbs_img_7313.jpg)
![Dolores Graham prepares a z-pinch wire array for loading on Z. Dolores Graham prepares a z-pinch wire array for loading on Z.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121016193934im_/http://www.sandia.gov/z-machine/wp-content/gallery/nexgen-gallery/thumbs/thumbs_pbfazpinch-array2.jpg)
![A z-pinch wire array is prepared for shooting on Z A z-pinch wire array is prepared for shooting on Z](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121016193934im_/http://www.sandia.gov/z-machine/wp-content/gallery/nexgen-gallery/thumbs/thumbs_img_6926.jpg)
![An optic from the Z Backlighter Laser Facility is examined prior to installation. An optic from the Z Backlighter Laser Facility is examined prior to installation.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121016193934im_/http://www.sandia.gov/z-machine/wp-content/gallery/nexgen-gallery/thumbs/thumbs_z-beamlet-samll.jpg)
Z provides the fastest, most accurate, and cheapest method to determine how materials will react under high pressures and temperatures, characteristics that can then be expressed in formulas called “equations of state.”
The importance of Z in solving the world’s energy challenges is directly connected to its potential in the realm of fusion. Inertial confinement fusion for peaceful production of electricity is of interest to Sandia’s Pulsed Power Sciences.
In order to fuse the atoms, the force that repels them as they come together must be overcome. Accelerators accomplish this by forcing molecules to collide with one another at very high temperatures.
The detonation of nuclear weapons may affect equipment at great distances. This means electronic weapons systems & related equipment may malfunction when exposed, even at a distance, to radiation from an opponent’s weapons.
Follow Sandia