Researchers Address Nuclear Proliferation Risks in Fusion Power Development

Recent investments in nuclear fusion technology have raised concerns about the potential for misuse by rogue actors. A study by Patrick Huber from Virginia Tech and Robert Goldston from Princeton University highlights the risk of deuterium-tritium (DT) fusion reactors being used to produce fissile materials covertly. Their research indicates that a gigawatt-scale fusion reactor could potentially generate significant amounts of plutonium or uranium-233 weekly. To address this issue, the researchers propose using antineutrino detectors to monitor fusion reactors for signs of illicit nuclear material production. Their simulations suggest that a detector weighing about 2,204 pounds could effectively identify unauthorized plutonium-239 generation from a distance of approximately 82 feet. The researchers acknowledge that further studies are needed to explore various reactor designs and potential enrichment methods.