Breakeven

Fusion

When fusion power matches heating power.

Scientific breakeven is defined in several ways. A common laboratory meaning is that fusion energy from the fuel exceeds the energy delivered to it. Engineering breakeven for a power plant is a higher bar that includes all plant systems.

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Articles

Lawson Criterion

John D. Lawson wondered what conditions need to be fulfilled in order to get enough energy from a fusion reaction to use it in a power plant.

5 min read

Glossary

Lawson criterion

Condition on density, temperature, and confinement time.

Fusion gain Q

Ratio of fusion power to heating power.