Answer to Question #160176 in Atomic and Nuclear Physics for Yolande

Question

What factors makes a terrestrial fusion reaction difficult to achieve?

Answer 1

The fundamental barrier to terrestrial fusion is the necessity to create and confine the radioactive plasma. One must achieve high temperatures (Kelvin) to make reactions that are energetically useful. One must also satisfy the Lawson criteria for density and confinement time. This requires refinement in confinement technology.