University of California at Berkeley
Nuclear Fusion Section
Nuclear fusion promises clean energy with an essentially infinite fuel supply, harnessing a reaction that also heats the stars. Nuclear fusion research at UC Berkeley focuses on four disciplines:
- Magnetic Confinement Fusion
Magnetic fields can confine fusion fuel at temperatures and densities sufficiently high for the fuel to burn. Berkeley research in magnetic confinement fusion focuses on theory, and experiments with the Berkeley Compact Toroidal Experiment.
- Inertial Confinement Fusion
When compressed to a sufficiently high density, the inertia of fusion fuel can confine it long enough to burn. Berkeley research in inertial confinement fusion supports national efforts to reach ignition in ICF targets, and to design power plants to harness energy these targets would produce. Our Tutorial on Inertial Fusion Energy provides a nontechnical introduction to this energy source.
- Neutron Sources
The Rotating Target Neutron Source at U.C. Berkeley provides the largest source of fusion-energy neutrons in North America.
- Plasma Sciences
Plasma sciences research at U.C. Berkeley focuses on the theory and application of plasmas in a range of important uses.
Papers on Fusion Research in Adobe PDF format
General information on the nation's fusion energy research program is provided by the Department of Energy's Office of Fusion Energy
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