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(or a heavier isotope of hydrogen) and in the process
energy is released as well as a vast number of neutrons.
To accomplish fusion,
temperatures of the order of a
million degrees centigrade and heavy isotopes of hydrogen
-- H-, deuterium, or H, tritium -- are needed.
The
greatest amount of energy is produced when the ingredients
are deuterium and tritium.
Radioisotopes released to the
environment from the detonation of a fusion device are
tritium plus tritium and deuterium as debris and a varied
assortment of induced radioisotopes.
The induced radio-
isotopes were originally stable isotopes that captured a
neutron released during the fusion process or were imparted
energy upon being hit by a neutron.
The kinds of radio-
isotopes produced by the detonation of a nuclear device
depend upon the kinds of stable isotopes within range of
the neutrons and the ability of the stable isotopes to
capture a neutron,
able.
and therefore are not entirely predict-
The radioisotopes produced by the fusion process
generally have a shorter half life and are less hazardous
than fission products.
Following the development of the fission process
and the fusion process,
fission was used to provide the