Nuclear fusion

Nuclear Fusion is constantly present in our solar system. In the core of the sun, Hydrogen is converted to Helium providing enough energy to sustain life on earth. This process occurs at temperatures of 10-15 million degrees Celsius. We are now trying different methods here on Earth to make fusion the next large-scale energy source. The most suitable reaction occurs between the nuclei of the two isotopes of Hydrogen - Deuterium (D) and Tritium (T). …

…one technique I want to focus on, there are hundreds currently being tested. Inertial Confinement Fusion uses the principles of the hydrogen bomb(left), in which radiation from a fission bomb (called the primary) compresses and heats the fusion fuel, which is contained in the secondary. The laboratory equivalent (right) aims to bathe the peppercorn-size fuel pellet symmetrically in radiation and to concentrate the power into the pellet so that it implodes uniformly. (JSPF, Source 2)