§ Mr. Masonasked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the progress being made with the modified zero energy thermo-nuclear assembly.
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§ The Prime MinisterI understand from the Atomic Energy Authority that two sets of modifications have been made to the ZETA apparatus that was brought into operation in 1957. The first, completed in November, 1958, was designed to improve the machine's performance in a number of minor respects and to facilitate various experiments. The second, designed to increase by about ten times the magnetic forces on the hot gases, was begun in April this year. The engineering work has now reached the stage of final adjustments and experimental work will be resumed when they are complete.
The principal subjects of study during the next months will be concerned with the increased magnetic pressure; in particular, it should be possible to work with higher gas densities and at higher temperatures than hitherto. The studies are designed to yield important information on the problems of heating the gases to a high temperature and containing them.