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Bremsstrahlung (radiation loss)

X-rays given off when electrons in a plasma are deflected by ions. Every hot plasma loses energy this way, and the loss grows with the electric charge of the ions present, so impurities knocked off the wall, and fuels containing heavier nuclei such as boron, radiate far more than pure hydrogen fuel. It is a main reason proton-boron-11 fusion is so much harder than D-T: at the temperatures p-B11 needs, the energy radiated comes close to the fusion power the plasma produces, leaving very little margin.

Related terms

Guide: Fusion fuels, tritium and neutrons

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concept:bremsstrahlung
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