Technical Library › Glossary of Fusion & Plasma Terms
Glossary
Beam–Target vs Thermonuclear Fusion
Fusing a beam into a target versus a hot thermal plasma.
Firing energetic ions at a target produces some fusion but is energy-inefficient; useful power requires thermonuclear fusion in a hot, confined plasma where the whole fuel reacts. Kronos's machines are thermonuclear, not beam-target.