Deuterium-tritium fusion

Definition

Deuterium-tritium fusion is a nuclear reaction that occurs when two isotopes of hydrogen, deuterium (D) and tritium (T), combine to form helium and release a significant amount of energy. This reaction is the primary fuel for fusion reactors due to its high energy yield and relatively favorable conditions for achieving the necessary temperatures and pressures compared to other fusion reactions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Deuterium can be extracted from seawater, making it an abundant resource, while tritium is produced in situ in fusion reactors or can be bred from lithium.
2. The fusion of deuterium and tritium releases about 17.6 MeV (million electron volts) of energy per reaction, which is significantly higher than other fusion pairs.
3. To achieve deuterium-tritium fusion, temperatures around 100 million degrees Celsius are required, which is approximately seven times hotter than the core of the sun.
4. The primary byproduct of deuterium-tritium fusion is helium, which is non-toxic and does not contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
5. Research into deuterium-tritium fusion aims to develop practical and sustainable fusion reactors that could provide a nearly limitless energy source with minimal environmental impact.

Review Questions

• What are the advantages of using deuterium-tritium fusion compared to other nuclear fusion reactions?
  • Deuterium-tritium fusion offers several advantages over other nuclear fusion reactions, including a higher energy yield per reaction and more achievable conditions for initiating the reaction. The temperature requirements for this fusion are lower than those needed for reactions involving heavier isotopes like deuterium-deuterium or helium-3. Furthermore, both deuterium and tritium are relatively accessible, with deuterium available from seawater and tritium being generated within the reactor itself.
• Discuss how the production of tritium in a fusion reactor impacts the design considerations for achieving sustained nuclear fusion.
  • The production of tritium is a critical design consideration for fusion reactors using deuterium-tritium fuel. Tritium is radioactive with a half-life of about 12.3 years, necessitating its continuous generation within the reactor through interactions with lithium. This leads to designs that incorporate lithium-rich materials in the reactor structure. Additionally, ensuring sufficient breeding of tritium while maintaining plasma stability is crucial for sustained operation and efficiency of the reactor.
• Evaluate the potential long-term implications of successfully harnessing deuterium-tritium fusion for global energy production.
  • Successfully harnessing deuterium-tritium fusion could revolutionize global energy production by providing a virtually limitless source of clean energy. This would significantly reduce reliance on fossil fuels, helping to mitigate climate change and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, with abundant resources like seawater for deuterium and sustainable methods for tritium production, this technology could lead to energy security worldwide. However, challenges such as high initial costs, technical barriers in sustaining plasma confinement, and regulatory frameworks would need to be addressed before realizing this potential.

Related terms

Nuclear Fusion:

A process where two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy as a result.

Plasma:

A state of matter consisting of charged particles, including ions and electrons, that is crucial for sustaining fusion reactions.

Tokamak:

A device used to confine plasma in a magnetic field to facilitate nuclear fusion, often utilizing deuterium-tritium as fuel.