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A fusion energy gain factor, usually expressed with the symbol Q, is the ratio of fusion power produced in a nuclear fusion reactor to the power required to maintain the plasma in steady state. The condition of Q = 1, when the power being released by the fusion reactions is equal to the required heating power, is referred to as breakeven , or ...
Fusion is the rate of fusion energy produced by the plasma; Number density is the density in particles per unit volume of the respective fuels (or just one fuel, in some cases) Cross section is a measure of the probability of a fusion event, which is based on the plasma temperature; Energy per reaction is the energy released in each fusion reaction
In other words, fusion ignition is the point at which the increasing self-heating of the nuclear fusion removes the need for external heating. [1] This is quantified by the Lawson criterion. [2] Ignition can also be defined by the fusion energy gain factor. [3]
Why fusion energy is so hard to produce. But if the science is there, so is the hype. ... of about 1.5 but “the gain of a fusion power plant would need to be about 100. ...
1.53 × 10 24 eV·s/m 3: JT-60 [304] [305] Fusion energy gain factor: 2022: 1.54: NIF [286] Discharge time (field reversed configuration) 2016: 3 × 10 −1 s: Princeton Field Reversed Configuration [306] Fusion was not observed. Discharge time is not confinement time. Discharge time (stellarator) 2019 >1 × 10 2 s: Wendelstein 7-X [307] [308 ...
Research using data from NSTX and MAST appears to confirm the supposition that for similar values of field and fusion power, but smaller volume, STs can demonstrate a fusion triple product of up to a factor of three higher and a fusion power gain of an order of magnitude higher than tokamaks. [31]
Comparing the driver energy input to the fusion energy output produces a number known as fusion energy gain factor, labelled Q. A Q value of at least 1 is required for the system to produce net energy. Since some energy is needed to run the reactor, in order for there to be net electrical output, Q has to be at least 3. [6]
In 1997, JET set the record of 16 megawatts of transient fusion power with a gain factor of Q = 0.62 and 4 megawatts steady state fusion power with Q = 0.18 for 4 seconds. [3] In 2021, JET sustained Q = 0.33 for 5 seconds and produced 59 megajoules of energy, beating the record 21.7 megajoules released in 1997 over around 4 seconds.