ABSTRACT
Nuclear fusion holds the promise of providing almost unlimited power for future generations. Fusion power plants would not produce the pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels and would eliminate the concern for meltdown associated with nuclear fission. Although a number of different atomic nuclei can combine to release net energy from fusion, the reaction of deuterium and tritium (D-T) is the basis of planning for the first generation of fusion reactors. This choice is based on considerations of reactor economy. The D-T reaction occurs at the lowest temperature, has the highest probability for reaction, and provides the greatest output of power per unit of cost. The two main approaches to fusion confinement are magnetic and inertial fusion confinement. The tokamak device has proved to be the most effective means of producing the conditions necessary for magnetic fusion energy production.
