> Existing fusion reactors rely on the resulting alpha particles—and the energy released in the process of their creation—to further heat the plasma. The plasma will then drive more nuclear reactions with the end goal of providing a net power gain. But there are limits. Even in the hottest plasmas that reactors can create, alpha particles will mostly skip past additional deuterium nuclei without transferring much energy. For a fusion reactor to be successful, it needs to create as many direct hits between alpha particles and deuterium nuclei as possible.

This is one of the most clear explanations of fusion power I've read so far. Worth a read just for that alone.

> And as the technology matures, it could also find uses here on Earth, such as for small power plants for individual buildings

Distributed power generation is the ideal. Why bother with transporting energy when you can just generate it where you need it?

Really cool article/tech. I've not heard of LCF until now. Seems promising.