Does Fission Affect Nuclear Fusion Rates?

[Christopher.V]

If you combined these elements does it decrease the nuclear fusion reaction because of the fission or do i have this all mixed up??

 

[TheDestroyer]

We'd appreciate it so much if you elaborate more on your question, please be specific :)

 

[Bob S]

Are you referring to the fusion of deuterium (H²) and tritium (H³)?. Its final state is an alpha particle and a 14.1 MeV neutron. See
http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cach...on+DT+nuclear+fusion&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

 

[Christopher.V]

so when fused it creates 4He +n and during a nuclear reaction it continues to make more +n free neutrons? am i correct on this.
which continues until all the free neutrons are taken? or destroyed?

 

[Bob S]

The neutrons from this reaction are about 14.1 MeV, which is much too high to participate in any other fusion reaction. You do not need need any neutrons to produce fusion. You will need a very hot plasma of inertially or magnetically confined deuterons and tritons, or a beam of deuterons hitting a target with tritium in it to get DT fusion.

 

[Christopher.V]

But if DT gas is already combined is their not a need of and ignition source for fission?
to make more neturons?

 

[Bob S]

Hello Christopher-
Neutrons are needed to make fission sources go critical, but those neutrons are (almost) always thermal neutrons. The 14.1 MeV neutrons from a DT (deuterium-tritium) reaction are very difficult to thermalize. Usually, the heat from a fission reaction is needed to ignite a DT (fusion) reaction.
Bob S