Magnetically-Driven High-Energy-Density Physics: A Case Study in Collaborative Success

High-energy-density physics research has focused on examining new frontiers of plasma behavior in the extreme conditions found in fusion plasmas and astrophysical systems, amongst others. This has increasingly necessitated the use of large-scale experimental facilities to achieve such conditions, which are typically located at national laboratories. During a highly productive couple of decades, significant advances have been made in inertial fusion performance, including achieving ignition at NIF, powerful x-ray sources for astrophysics studies, and contributions to basic science issues. A great deal of this progress has been based on physics scaling studies, novel experimental and numerical research, and diagnostic development carried out at a university scale. In this article, we will focus on pulsed power high-energy-density research and highlight how university-scale programs have been a fundamental part of progress. Contributions have comprised those from both large collaboratives, such as the NNSA Centers of Excellence, and innovative single PI programs, and training in both physics and pulsed power engineering remains a focus.