Nuclear Energy Fusion

NUCLEAR FUSION• During nuclear fusion, two light nuclei are brought

together to create a larger nucleus.

• Because this reaction involves bringing together two positively charged particles, we must provide enough energy to overcome the force of repulsion between these particles. • Each reaction has an ignition temperature.

108 K

NUCLEAR FUSION• At these temperatures, any substance will be in the

form of a plasma. Therefore, a nuclear fusion reactor must…

• Currently the best options for keeping the plasma together is a magnetic field.

Achieve temperature required to ignite the fusion reaction.

Keep the plasma together at this temperature long enough to get useful amounts of energy out of the fusion reaction.

Obtain more energy from the fusion reaction than is used to heat the plasma to the ignition temperature.

MEET THE TOKAMAK

• Only can control the plasma in short bursts that last for no more than 7 minutes. • Uses more energy to run it than it creates.

MEET THE STELLARATOR

• Believed to sustain plasma for up to 30 minutes. • In Dec 2016, turned it on and created a plasma for

1/10 of a second.

IS THIS OUR FUTURE