He3fuusio

He3fuusio is a term used to describe nuclear fusion processes that use helium-3 as a reactant. It is studied as a potential path to fusion energy with a more favorable neutron balance than the conventional deuterium-tritium cycle, which has driven interest in research into He3-based fusion reactions.

In He3fuusio, helium-3 can fuse with deuterium or with another helium-3 nucleus. The reactions release energy mainly through charged particles such as protons and alpha particles, rather than neutrons. Some channels may emit gamma rays. The exact byproducts and energy distribution depend on the specific reaction channel, but a common property cited in the literature is a reduced production of neutrons compared with D–T fusion.

Advantages often cited for He3fuusio include the potential for direct conversion of charged-particle energy into electricity, which could simplify reactor design and improve safety by reducing long-lived neutron activation of materials. The lower neutron flux also lowers the burden of radioactive waste and damage to structural components, compared with neutron-rich fusion cycles.

Major challenges remain. Helium-3 is extremely scarce on Earth, complicating fuel supply for large-scale use, though proposed extraterrestrial sources have been imagined. The fusion cross sections at practical devices are small, requiring very high temperatures, strong confinement, and advanced engineering. Material, economic, and scalability hurdles persist, and no He3fuusio reactor has yet achieved breakeven or net energy gain.