Nuclear Fusion

• why the sun shines

• harnessing fusion for war and peace

4

2

He + 2 e+ (net reaction)

0.5 g H2

10 Mg coal

~

2

1

H +

3

1

H

4

2

He + n

ignition temperature:

40 000 000 oC

1

0

6

3

Li +

1

0

n

4

2

He +

3

1

H

breeding tritium from

lithium

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Lithium fusion can lead to U-238 fusion in the bomb shell.

fission-fusion-fission bomb. U-238 $25/kg, U-235 $30,000/kg