University of Wisconsin-Madison

A summary of the way in which energy is released from the 4 most attractive fusion reactions is shown. The energy release fraction is expressed in terms of neutron, transport (ion leakage), bremsstrahlung (breaking radiation from electrons), and synchrotron (energy lost from hot electrons and ions in high magnetic fields) losses. See the general fusion references cited in Lecture 24 for more information. Conversion of neutron and bremsstrahlung radiation to electricity will be limited by Carnot efficiencies (~30-40%), whereas the direct ion conversion efficiencies could be twice that value (Santarius, 1987, 1990).