How nuclear fusion will work in the ITER reactor

Fused

atoms

Tritium

Helium

Neutron

2

The fusion releases about four times the energy produced when an atom is split in conventional nuclear fission

1

Nuclear fusion occurs when two atoms combine to form a new atom and a neutron.

The atoms are fired into a plasma where extreme temperatures overcome their repulsion and forces them together

Heavy hydrogen atoms

Deuterium

Plasma

150 million°C

Fused atoms

Tritium

Helium

Energy

Neutron

Heavy hydrogen atoms

Deuterium

Plasma

150 million°C

3

The fusion releases about four times the energy produced when an atom is split in conventional nuclear fission

2

The atoms are fired into a plasma where extreme temperatures overcome their repulsion and forces them together

1

Nuclear fusion occurs when two atoms combine to form a new atom and a neutron