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Fusion power
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Fusion power is a potential method of electric power generation from heat released by nuclear fusion reactions. In fusion, two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus and release energy.
Fusion plasma in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak.
Fusion plasma in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak.
Early photo of plasma inside a pinch machine (Imperial College 1950–1951)
Early photo of plasma inside a pinch machine (Imperial College 1950–1951)
The UK claimed that it had gotten fusion first in 1957 on ZETA, but this claim had to later be withdrawn.
The UK claimed that it had gotten fusion first in 1957 on ZETA, but this claim had to later be withdrawn.
Magnetic mirrors suffered from end losses, requiring high power, complex magnetic designs, such as the baseball coil pictured here.
Magnetic mirrors suffered from end losses, requiring high power, complex magnetic designs, such as the baseball coil pictured here.
Fusion energy gain factor
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A fusion energy gain factor, usually expressed with the symbol Q, is the ratio of fusion power produced in a nuclear fusion reactor to the power required to maintain the plasma in a steady state. The
Fusion power
…fusion reactors began in the 1940s. As of 2025, the National Ignition Facility (NIF) in the United States is the only laboratory to have demonstrated a fusion energy gain factor above one, but efficiencies orders of magnitude higher are required to reach engineering breakeven (a net electricity-producing plant) or economic…
The explosion of the Ivy Mike hydrogen bomb. The hydrogen bomb was the first device able to achieve fusion energy gain factor significantly larger tha
The explosion of the Ivy Mike hydrogen bomb. The hydrogen bomb was the first device able to achieve fusion energy gain factor significantly larger than 1.