Maximization of nuclear fusion reactivity via optimal energy distributions
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: We investigate the optimization of nuclear fusion reactivity relative to the choice of energy probability distribution. A single Maxwell-Boltzmann (MB) distribution is found to be optimal in the region where reactivity is a concave function of the average available kinetic energy, specifically near the reactivity peak. Conversely, in regions where the reactivity curve is convex, optimization is achieved through a bimodal MB distribution. We then discuss our results in the context of three classes of generalized energy distributions (superstatistics), which are modeled as a continuum of MB distributions. As expected, in all cases examined, the reactivity gains provided by superstatistics are bounded by the proposed optimal distribution. Finally, we apply these findings to deuterium-deuterium and deuterium-tritium fusion processes using empirical parametrizations of their respective cross sections. For both reactions, employing optimal bimodal MB distributions at low average energies—of particular interest for magnetically confined plasmas—yields a reactivity enhancement of approximately a factor of 2.
Source: Physical review. E
DOI: 10.1103/xhzy-hxdw
Authors: Roberto Onofrio, Kamel Ourabah, Carlo Presilla
Language: English
Subfield: Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7216478830