Chapter 10 – Nuclear Fusion

Nuclear fusion, the joining of light nuclei of hydrogen into heavier nuclei of helium, has potential environmental, safety and proliferation characteristics as an energy source, as well as adequate fuel to power civilisation for times long compared to human history. It is, however, more challenging to convert into an energy source than nuclear fission. This chapter introduces the physics, advantages, difficulties, progress, economics and prospects for fusion energy power plants.