fusion reactor: Quick Facts

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Last updated

Oct. 31, 2026

News •

New superconducting chip aims to help tame fusion plasma • Oct. 22, 2026, 3:00 AM ET (Scientific American)

Facts

Also Known As	thermonuclear reactor • fusion power plant

Photos and Videos

3D illustration of the interior reaction chamber of a tokamak fusion reactor, showing a large, cylindrical, metallic structure with curved walls and bright light panels.

Tokamak magnetic confinement

Diagram showing laser fusion: multiple laser beams converge on a central core, compressing it and creating expanding plasma, with arrows indicating energy flow and labeled parts.

laser-activated fusion

What is the difference between nuclear fission and fusion?

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Topics

magnetic confinement neutral-beam injection heating electromagnetic wave heating radio-frequency current drive inertial confinement fusion reversed-field pinch neutral-beam current drive stellarator compact torus tokamak turbine small modular reactor cooling system breeder reactor piston and cylinder injector electric motor battery electric generator pump

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