laser-activated fusion
Interior of the U.S. Department of Energy's National Ignition Facility (NIF), located at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California. The NIF target chamber uses a high-energy laser to heat fusion fuel to temperatures sufficient for thermonuclear ignition. The facility is used for basic science, fusion energy research, and nuclear weapons testing.
nuclear fusion
physics
Also known as: atomic fusion, fusion, thermonuclear fusion
- Related Topics:
- fusion reactor
- nuclear energy
- proton-proton chain
- nucleosynthesis
- CNO cycle
nuclear fusion, process by which nuclear reactions between light elements form heavier elements (up to iron). In cases where the interacting nuclei belong to elements with low atomic numbers (e.g., hydrogen [atomic number 1] or its isotopes deuterium and tritium), substantial amounts of energy are released. The vast energy potential of nuclear fusion was first exploited in thermonuclear weapons, or hydrogen bombs, which were developed in the decade immediately following World War II. For a detailed history of this development, see nuclear weapon. Meanwhile, the potential peaceful applications of nuclear fusion, especially in view of the essentially limitless supply of ...(100 of 5656 words)