Editing Fusion power (section)

=== Deuterium, helium-3 ===
A second-generation approach to controlled fusion power involves combining [[helium-3]] (<sup>3</sup>He) and [[deuterium]] (<sup>2</sup>H):

:{{nuclide|Deuterium}} + {{nuclide|Helium|3}} → {{nuclide|Helium}} + {{nuclide|Hydrogen}}

This reaction produces <sup>4</sup>He and a high-energy proton. As with the p-<sup>11</sup>B [[aneutronic fusion]] fuel cycle, most of the reaction energy is released as charged particles, reducing [[neutron activation|activation]] of the reactor housing and potentially allowing more efficient energy harvesting (via any of several pathways).<ref name="Advanced Fuels">{{Cite journal|last=Nevins|first=W. M.|date=March 1, 1998|title=A Review of Confinement Requirements for Advanced Fuels|url=https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022513215080|journal=Journal of Fusion Energy|language=en|volume=17|issue=1|pages=25–32|doi=10.1023/A:1022513215080|bibcode=1998JFuE...17...25N|s2cid=118229833|issn=1572-9591}}</ref> In practice, D-D side reactions produce a significant number of neutrons, leaving p-<sup>11</sup>B as the preferred cycle for aneutronic fusion.<ref name="Advanced Fuels" />