fusion reactor
Noun: A device designed to harness energy from nuclear fusion reactions. Unlike fission reactors which split heavy atomic nuclei, a fusion reactor aims to replicate the process that powers the sun by fusing light atomic nuclei (typically isotopes of hydrogen like deuterium and tritium) under conditions of extreme heat and pressure to release vast amounts of energy.
A "fusion reactor" refers to the experimental apparatus or theoretical power plant concept. It is a compound noun where "fusion" specifies the type of reactor.
Examples: * The experimental fusion reactor achieved a significant milestone by producing more energy than was used to heat the plasma. * Scientists are working to solve the immense engineering challenges of building a practical fusion reactor. * If successfully developed, a commercial fusion reactor could provide a nearly limitless source of clean energy.
- "Magnetic confinement fusion reactor": A type of fusion reactor that uses powerful magnetic fields to contain the hot plasma, such as a tokamak or stellarator.
- The ITER project in France is an international effort to build the world's largest magnetic confinement fusion reactor.
- "Inertial confinement fusion reactor": A conceptual design for a fusion reactor where tiny fuel pellets are compressed and heated intensely by lasers or ion beams to initiate fusion.
- Research into an inertial confinement fusion reactor often takes place at national laser facilities.
- Fusion (n): The nuclear reaction process itself.
- The goal is to sustain fusion for long periods.
- Fusion energy (n): The power generated by fusion reactions.
- Harnessing fusion energy is a key objective for the future.
- Fission reactor (n): A nuclear reactor that uses controlled nuclear fission, the splitting of atoms, to generate energy. (This is the current technology and is conceptually different from a fusion reactor).
- Thermonuclear reactor: A synonym emphasizing the extremely high temperatures ("thermo") required for the fusion process.
- "To achieve fusion ignition": The point where a fusion reaction becomes self-sustaining, a critical goal for reactor designs.
- The laboratory's primary target is to achieve fusion ignition in the experiment.
- "Fusion power plant": The envisioned commercial facility housing one or more fusion reactors for electricity generation.
- A viable fusion power plant is still likely decades away from realization.
- a nuclear reactor that uses controlled nuclear fusion to generate energy