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nuclear fusion
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laser-activated fusion
What is the difference between nuclear fission and fusion?
Diagram showing the sequence of uranium nucleus fission after being struck by a neutron: the nucleus absorbs the neutron, deforms, splits into fragments, releases more neutrons and gamma rays, and emits beta particles as the fragments decay. Labels identify neutrons, protons, beta particles, and gamma rays, with accompanying explanatory text.
Fission of a uranium nucleus by a neutron
reaction rate as a function of plasma temperature
helium
Tokamak magnetic confinement Nuclear fission and fusion
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laser-activated fusion
laser-activated fusion Interior of the U.S. Department of Energy's National Ignition Facility (NIF), located at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California. The NIF target chamber uses a high-energy laser to heat fusion fuel to temperatures sufficient for thermonuclear ignition. The facility is used for basic science, fusion energy research, and nuclear weapons testing.

nuclear fusion

physics
Also known as: atomic fusion, fusion, thermonuclear fusion
Written by
Robert W. Conn
Professor of Applied Science, University of California, San Diego. Founder and principal editor (1986-2001), Fusion Engineering and Design.
Robert W. Conn
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Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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nuclear fusion, process by which nuclear reactions between light elements form heavier elements (up to iron). In cases where the interacting nuclei belong to elements with low atomic numbers (e.g., hydrogen [atomic number 1] or its isotopes deuterium and tritium), substantial amounts of energy are released. The vast energy potential of nuclear fusion was first exploited in thermonuclear weapons, or hydrogen bombs, which were developed in the decade immediately following World War II. For a...

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