Producing fusion reaction with x rays?

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SUMMARY

Producing a fusion reaction using X-rays to fuse deuterium atoms is not feasible due to the energy mismatch between electrons and nuclear reactions. The energy required for nuclear fusion is in the MeV range, while electrons operate at the eV scale. Effective deuterium-deuterium fusion necessitates high-speed movement of deuterium nuclei, which cannot be achieved solely through ionization. While ionization can create plasma, it does not provide the necessary conditions for nuclear fusion.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of nuclear fusion principles
  • Knowledge of deuterium and its properties
  • Familiarity with plasma physics
  • Basic concepts of ionization and energy scales in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the conditions necessary for deuterium-deuterium fusion
  • Explore the role of plasma in nuclear fusion processes
  • Study the differences between electron energy levels and nuclear energy requirements
  • Investigate current laser-based fusion technologies and their mechanisms
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics, researchers in nuclear fusion, and anyone interested in advanced energy generation methods will benefit from this discussion.

Fast77
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Would it be possible to produce a fusion reaction(fusing deterium atoms) using x rays instead of high voltages? Scientist are trying to create fusion using laser, which is just focused photons, but if you have energetic photons such as x rays, which would knock the electron of the deterium atom and excite it?

If any of the concept I have stated is wrong, I apologize. (only in freshman year of high school)
 
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Fast77 said:
which would knock the electron of the deterium atom and excite it?

Electrons are just spectators in nuclear reactions. The easy way to see this is that the energy scales are mismatched. The energy scale of electrons is eV, whereas the nuclear scale is MeV.

To get deuterium-deuterium fusion, you need to get two deuterium nuclei moving toward each other at high speed, which you can't do just by ionizing the atoms.
 
bcrowell said:
To get deuterium-deuterium fusion, you need to get two deuterium nuclei moving toward each other at high speed, which you can't do just by ionizing the atoms.

When you ionize the deterium atoms, would it not turn into plasma, which is essential in fusing the nuclie.
 
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