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    Nuclear Fusion

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    • Introduction to Nuclear Fusion
      • 1.1Definition and Overview of Nuclear Fusion
      • 1.2Importance of Nuclear Fusion
      • 1.3Applications of Nuclear Fusion
    • Physics of Nuclear Fusion
      • 2.1Fundamentals of Nuclear Physics
      • 2.2Physics of Fusion Reactions
      • 2.3Fusion Cross-sections
    • Energy from Nuclear Fusion
      • 3.1Fusion Reaction Rates
      • 3.2Energy Production
      • 3.3Conditions for Energy Gain
    • Fusion Fuel Cycles
      • 4.1Deuterium-Tritium Fusion
      • 4.2Deuterium-Deuterium Fusion
      • 4.3Helium-3 Fusion
    • Fusion Plasmas
      • 5.1Kinetic Theory of Plasmas
      • 5.2Plasma Confinement
      • 5.3Magnetohydrodynamics
    • Fusion Reactors
      • 6.1Tokamak Fusion Reactor
      • 6.2Stellarator Fusion Reactor
      • 6.3Inertial Confinement Fusion Reactor
    • Confinement and Heating
      • 7.1Magnetic and Inertial Confinement
      • 7.2Laser and Radio-Frequency Heating
      • 7.3Confinement Time and Temperature
    • Fusion Reactor Design
      • 8.1Conceptual Design
      • 8.2Power Plant Design
      • 8.3Safety Systems
    • Radiation and Safety
      • 9.1Radiation Types and their Impact
      • 9.2Radiation Shielding
      • 9.3Radiation Monitoring and Safety
    • Fusion Reactor Materials
      • 10.1Plasma Facing Materials
      • 10.2Neutron Irradiation Effects
      • 10.3Material Selection for Fusion Reactors
    • Fusion and the Environment
      • 11.1Fusion as a Clean Energy Source
      • 11.2Environmental Impact and Sustainability
      • 11.3Waste Management
    • Challenges in Nuclear Fusion
      • 12.1Technological Challenges
      • 12.2Economic Challenges
      • 12.3Sociopolitical Challenges
    • The Future of Nuclear Fusion
      • 13.1Current Research in Fusion Energy
      • 13.2Future Possibilities
      • 13.3Role of Fusion in Future Energy Mix

    Fusion Fuel Cycles

    Understanding Deuterium-Deuterium Fusion

    nuclear reaction in which atomic nuclei combine

    Nuclear reaction in which atomic nuclei combine.

    Deuterium-Deuterium fusion, often abbreviated as D-D fusion, is a nuclear fusion reaction that occurs when two deuterium (D) nuclei, or isotopes of hydrogen, combine. This process is of significant interest in the field of nuclear fusion due to its potential as a future energy source.

    The Deuterium-Deuterium Reaction

    The D-D fusion reaction can result in two possible outcomes. In the first, a deuterium nucleus fuses with another deuterium nucleus to produce a helium-3 nucleus and a neutron. In the second possible reaction, the two deuterium nuclei combine to form a tritium nucleus and a proton. Both reactions release a significant amount of energy, but the first reaction is slightly more probable.

    The reactions can be represented as follows:

    1. D + D → He-3 + n (3.27 MeV)
    2. D + D → T + p (4.03 MeV)

    The numbers in parentheses represent the energy released by each reaction in millions of electron volts (MeV).

    Energy Production in Deuterium-Deuterium Fusion

    The energy produced in D-D fusion comes from the conversion of mass into energy, as described by Einstein's famous equation, E=mc^2. The small loss in mass during the fusion reaction results in a large release of energy due to the large value of the speed of light squared (c^2) in the equation.

    The D-D fusion reaction releases less energy than the D-T (Deuterium-Tritium) fusion reaction, but it has other advantages that make it an attractive option for fusion power.

    Advantages and Disadvantages of Deuterium-Deuterium Fusion

    One of the main advantages of D-D fusion is that deuterium is readily available in seawater, making it a virtually limitless fuel source. Additionally, D-D fusion does not produce high-energy neutrons, which can cause materials to become radioactive.

    However, D-D fusion also has its challenges. The main disadvantage is that it requires higher temperatures to overcome the electrostatic repulsion between the two positively charged deuterium nuclei. This makes achieving the conditions for D-D fusion more difficult than for D-T fusion.

    In conclusion, while D-D fusion presents some challenges, its potential benefits make it a promising area of research in the quest for a sustainable and clean energy source.

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    Next up: Helium-3 Fusion