this post was submitted on 30 Nov 2025
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The scientists didn't joke about that tokamaks will be a great neutron factory/highest neutron flux available. Yes, neutron activation of the reactor walls/components is a problem that we need to solve. However, transmutation of lithium to tritium is required for the reactor to work in the long term, so having a high neutron flux source is a plus in this regard. (and a negative in all aspects of structural integrity...)
The volume amount of activated material that would come out from tokamaks is fraction compared to the literal tens of tons half-burnt uranium that takes way too long to decay to safe level. The more angrier the radioactivity, the less time it takes to decay away.
I mean, breeder reactors? Also it's still not that much, especially compared to the economics of everything else.
Anyway, what I didn't realize was these are 14 MeV neutrons, unless they crack D-D fusion. That's... very different. That's more destructive, and harder to deal with, than fission neutrons.
...To expand on this, I'm somewhat skeptical of all nuclear now. It's fine, it works great, fusion is a noble pursuit. But it just takes too long to set up to stave off carbon emissions.