Nuclear Fusion

Under conditions of extreme heat and pressure, the nuclei of two isotopes of hydrogen, deuterium and tritium, can merge together to form an atom of helium. This merging is known as nuclear fusion. Nuclear fusion produces the light and other energy released by the sun. Methods for using nuclear fusion slowly and safely to produce energy in reactors have not yet been developed.

Nuclear fusion diagram

This material is produced independently for NTI by the Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, agents.
Copyright © 2006 by MIIS.