FUSION

Stellar Fusion I : The Proton-Proton Cycle

A: 1H + 1H --> 2H + e+ + neutrino ~ 7 billion years
B: 2H + 1H --> 3He + energy ~ 6 sec
C: 3He + 3He --> 4He + 1H + 1H ~ 1/2 million years
 

The energy yield for this cycle is ~27 MeV.

Stellar Fusion II : The Carbon-Carbon Cycle

This process is another energy output process in stars older and larger than the Sun.  The energy yield is ~25MeV.

Fusion on Earth (in the lab)

A: 2H + 2H --> 3He + n 3.3 MeV
B: 2H + 2H --> 3H + p 4.0 MeV
C: 2H + 3H --> 4He + n 17.6 MeV

 

Magnetic Confinement: TFTR (Princeton), JET (England)

Inertial Confinement:  National Ignition Facility, Los Alamos

Z-pinch at Sandia, Albuquerque