The First International Conference on Dense Z-Pinches for Fusion was held in Alexandria, Virginia on March 29 and 30, 1984. The meeting was hosted by the US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). Thirty people, representing seven different countries attended that first conference. Fourteen papers were presented from scientists from four different countries. The conference proceedings were published by NRL. This was the birth a long series of International Dense Z-Pinch conferences that continues to this day. While subsequent conferences expanded the scope to all aspects of dense z-pinch research, that first conference concentrated on the fusion energy applications.

One of the primary themes of the conference was to achieve fusion conditions by starting the pinch at a small diameter and high density, and maintaining those conditions as the current is ramped up to achieve fusion temperatures. The conference also marked one of the first times modern high voltage pulsed power machines were used to power the dense z-pinch. Research on several types of dense z-pinches was reported at the meeting: High pressure (2-4 atm) gas embedded pinches initiated with field enhancement, x-rays, or lasers. High density pinches formed inside gas filled quartz capillaries. Pinches formed with a collapsing gas shell. More esoteric concepts were presented, including the use of a compact torus to drive the pinch. The concept of forming the pinch from a frozen deuterium fiber was first proposed at this meeting. There were also papers on dense z-pinch simulation, modeling, diagnostics, and of course, a concept for a dense z-pinch based fusion reactor.

The introduction to the Conference Proceedings stated that one of the goals of the meeting was to “simulate new ideas..that would lead to significant advances..” Considering this conference series has been continuing for 39 years, it is safe to say that goal has been met.