Fusion Power
Nuclear fusion reactions produce energy that can be harvested in fusion power plants and used to generate electricity for human consumption. The enormous energy released by fusion reactions, the abundance of fusion fuels, and the safety of fusion reactors indicate that fusion power could be a superior alternative to conventional and renewable power sources. Yet after more than sixty years of fusion research, sustaining a controlled fusion reaction remains an elusive goal for physicists. My presentation will review the nuclear and plasma physics necessary to understand fusion reactions, then examine historical and contemporary designs for nuclear reactors, comparing the advantages and disadvantages of each device. I will address the physical and technological hurdles that must be overcome to successfully achieve ignition and finally assess the prospects for peaceful fusion power in the future.