D-T vs D-D vs D-He3 vs p-B11 Fusion
Fusion Fuel Cycle Comparison
Comparison of 4 fusion fuel cycles — temperature, cross-section, neutron output, activation, and engineering challenge.
D-TD-DD-He3p-B11
Full Specification Comparison
| Specification | D-T | D-D | D-He3 | p-B11 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ignition Temp | 100M°C | 400M°C | 300M°C | 500M°C |
| Energy Yield (MeV) | 17.6 | 3.6-4.0 | 18.3 | 8.7 |
| Neutron Output | 14.1 MeV (high) | 2.4 MeV (moderate) | Low (2.4%) | None (aneutronic) |
| Fuel Availability | Li + D (abundant) | D (abundant) | He3 (rare) | H + B (abundant) |
| Activation | High | Moderate | Low | Minimal |
| Engineering Challenge | Lowest | High | High | Highest |
| Key Proponent | ITER, CFS | Tokamak Energy | Helion | TAE, LPP |
Expert Verdict
D-T is the easiest at 100M°C but produces the most neutrons; p-B11 is aneutronic but requires 500M°C; D-He3 offers the best balance but He3 is scarce; D-D is self-sufficient but lower gain.
Subject Breakdown
D-T
1 Category Wins
- ★ Ignition Temp: 100M°C
D-D
0 Category Wins
D-He3
0 Category Wins
p-B11
3 Category Wins
- ★ Neutron Output: None (aneutronic)
- ★ Fuel Availability: H + B (abundant)
- ★ Activation: Minimal