neutral beam injection

Neutral beam injection is a method used to heat and sustain plasma in fusion reactors. It involves accelerating charged particles, typically hydrogen or deuterium ions, to high energies and then neutralizing them so they can pass through magnetic fields without deflection. These neutral particles are then injected directly into the plasma. Once inside, they become ionized again and transfer their energy to the plasma particles through collisions, raising the plasma’s temperature and helping maintain the conditions necessary for nuclear fusion. This technique is essential for achieving and controlling the extremely hot environments needed for fusion energy production.