Termotuumasüntees

Termotuumasüntees, also known as thermonuclear fusion, is a process where atomic nuclei combine to form heavier nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy. This process is the same one that powers stars, including our Sun. For fusion to occur, atomic nuclei must overcome their natural electrostatic repulsion, which is achieved through extremely high temperatures and pressures.

The most common fusion reactions involve isotopes of hydrogen, specifically deuterium and tritium. When these isotopes are heated to millions of degrees Celsius, their nuclei gain enough kinetic energy to collide and fuse. This fusion produces a helium nucleus, a neutron, and a significant amount of energy. The energy released is due to the difference in mass between the initial nuclei and the resulting products; a small amount of mass is converted into energy according to Einstein's famous equation E=mc².

Scientists are actively researching ways to harness thermonuclear fusion on Earth for power generation. The primary challenge is to create and sustain the necessary conditions of extreme temperature and pressure in a controlled manner. This often involves using magnetic fields to confine the superheated plasma, as seen in tokamak and stellarator devices. Achieving sustained fusion reactions that produce more energy than is consumed in the process, known as ignition, is a major goal of fusion research. If successful, fusion power could provide a virtually inexhaustible, clean, and safe energy source.