Ignition
(Science: radiobiology) in fusion, as in an ordinary (chemical) fire, ignition is the point where the temperature and confinement of heat in the fuel (plasma in the case of fusion) are such that energy released from ongoing reactions is sufficient to maintain the temperature of the system, and no external heating is needed. An ignited fusion plasma produces so much energy from fusion reactions that the plasma is fully heated by fusion reaction products (alpha particles in the case of D-T fusion), and the plasma no longer needs any external source of power to maintain its temperature. (The plasma may, however, still need something to maintain its confinement, this gives us control over the fusion reaction and helps prevent fusion reactors from having meltdown problems like fission reactors.)
Dictionary > Ignition
You will also like...
Growth and Development of a Human Baby
Upon fertilization, a zygote forms and develops into an embryo. This tutorial elaborates on the growth and development f..
The Gene Pool and Population Genetics
According to Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection, preferable genes are favored by nature in the gene pool, and ..
The Human Nervous System
The nervous system is essentially a biological information highway. This tutorial gives an overview of the nervous syste..
Sugar Homeostasis
The blood sugar level is regulated by two hormones. The mechanism behind this type of negative feedback control is descr..
Growth and Plant Hormones
Plants, like animals, produce hormones to regulate plant activities, including growth. They need these hormones to respo..
Running Water Freshwater Communities
This tutorial introduces flowing water communities, which bring new and dithering factors into the equation for possible..