A fusion reactor plasma contains deuterium and tritium ions. Which mechanism explains why the fusion reaction rate increases exponentially with plasma temperature, despite the Coulomb repulsion?

💡 Explanation

The fusion reaction rate increases exponentially because the Gamow factor, dictating the quantum tunneling cross section probability through the Coulomb barrier, increases rapidly with temperature. Therefore, quantum tunneling dominates, rather than classical mechanics, allowing fusion even at temperatures where classical collision energy is insufficient.

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