Fusion Reactor Concepts

Fusion reactor concepts aim to replicate the Sun’s process, where hydrogen atoms fuse to form helium and release vast energy. In reactors, isotopes like deuterium and tritium are heated to extremely high temperatures, creating a plasma where atomic nuclei collide and fuse. The primary challenge is maintaining the extreme conditions long enough for a sustainable energy release. Approaches include magnetic confinement (like tokamaks) that use powerful magnets to contain the plasma, and inertial confinement, which uses lasers to compress fuel. Fusion promises a clean, abundant, and safe energy source if technical hurdles are overcome.