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Pinch fusion reactor: Difference between revisions

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[[File:H2A-AssaultCarrierCore.jpg|300px|thumb|An [[CAS-class assault carrier|assault carrier]]'s pinch fusion reactor]]
[[File:H2A-AssaultCarrierCore.jpg|300px|thumb|An [[CAS-class assault carrier|assault carrier]]'s pinch fusion reactor]]
'''Pinch fusion reactors''' are [[nuclear fusion]] reactors that served as a source of power generation used by the [[Covenant]].<ref name="wf61">''[[Halo: Warfleet]]'', p. 61</ref> Using [[deuterium]] and [[tritium]] as fuel,<ref name="fs">''[[Halo: First Strike]]'', p. 193 (2003); p. 234 (2010)</ref> pinch fusion reactors replicate the conditions inside the core of a star to generate enormous amounts of [[plasma]] and power. These reactors power the weapons and engines of [[warship]]s,<ref name="wf61"/> the [[impulse drive]]s of smaller ships,<ref name="wf59">''Halo: Warfleet'', p. 59</ref> and even the [[Sangheili combat harness|combat harnesses]] of [[Sangheili]] warriors.<ref name="CU">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/community-update-the-finals-countdown '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Community Update (07/29/16): The Finals Countdown'']</ref>
'''Pinch fusion reactors''' are [[nuclear fusion]] reactors that served as a source of power generation used by the [[Covenant]].<ref name="wf61">''[[Halo: Warfleet]]'', p. 61</ref> Using [[deuterium]] and [[tritium]] as fuel,<ref name="fs">''[[Halo: First Strike]]'', p. 193 (2003); p. 234 (2010)</ref> pinch fusion reactors replicate the conditions inside the core of a star to generate enormous amounts of [[plasma]] and power. These reactors power the weapons and engines of [[warship]]s,<ref name="wf61"/> the [[impulse drive]]s of smaller ships,<ref name="wf59">''Halo: Warfleet'', p. 59</ref> and even the [[Combat harness|combat harnesses]] of [[Sangheili]] warriors.<ref name="CU">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/community-update-the-finals-countdown '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Community Update (07/29/16): The Finals Countdown'']</ref>


The pinch fusion reactor serves as the primary source of power for Covenant warships, though a handful of classes were powered by [[shrine-core]]s, power plants extracted from [[Forerunner]] machinery.<ref>''Halo: Warfleet'', p. 65</ref>
The pinch fusion reactor serves as the primary source of power for Covenant warships, though a handful of classes were powered by [[shrine-core]]s, power plants extracted from [[Forerunner]] machinery.<ref>''Halo: Warfleet'', p. 65</ref>
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==Applications and usage==
==Applications and usage==
Pinch fusion reactors are most notably used on Covenant [[warship]]s, powering the weapons and engines. The {{Class|CPV|heavy destroyer}} has two pinch fusion reactors; the primary reactor powers the [[destroyer]]'s powerful [[Energy projector|superheavy excavation beam]], while the secondary reactors power the rest of the ship.<ref name="wf61"/> The largest pinch fusion reactor of the {{Class|CCS|battlecruiser}} provides the energy needed to ignite [[plasma torpedo]]es and charge its excavation beam.<ref>''Halo: Warfleet'', p. 62</ref> The [[impulse drive]]s fitted on [[Space fighter|fighters]], [[dropship]]s, and [[shuttle]]s are powered by a small pinch fusion reactor.<ref name="wf59"/> Scaled-down reactors are used to power the Covenant's [[Type-38 Tyrant|Type-38 "Tyrant" anti-air cannons]] and [[Sangheili]] [[Sangheili combat harness|combat harness]]es, with a modified version being incorporated into the Sangheili-designed [[HELIOSKRILL-class Mjolnir]].<ref name="CU"/> ''[[Unyielding Hierophant]]'' was also powered by pinch fusion reactors.<ref name="fs305"/>
Pinch fusion reactors are most notably used on Covenant [[warship]]s, powering the weapons and engines. The {{Class|CPV|heavy destroyer}} has two pinch fusion reactors; the primary reactor powers the [[destroyer]]'s powerful [[Energy projector|superheavy excavation beam]], while the secondary reactors power the rest of the ship.<ref name="wf61"/> The largest pinch fusion reactor of the {{Class|CCS|battlecruiser}} provides the energy needed to ignite [[plasma torpedo]]es and charge its excavation beam.<ref>''Halo: Warfleet'', p. 62</ref> The [[impulse drive]]s fitted on [[Space fighter|fighters]], [[dropship]]s, and [[shuttle]]s are powered by a small pinch fusion reactor.<ref name="wf59"/> Scaled-down reactors are used to power the Covenant's [[Type-38 Tyrant|Type-38 "Tyrant" anti-air cannons]] and [[Sangheili]] [[Combat harness|combat harness]]es, with a modified version being incorporated into the Sangheili-designed [[HELIOSKRILL-class Mjolnir]].<ref name="CU"/> ''[[Unyielding Hierophant]]'' was also powered by pinch fusion reactors.<ref name="fs305"/>


In order to obtain fuel for their pinch fusion reactors, the Covenant operate various groundside facilities on worlds rich in tritium and deuterium, including [[hydro-processing center]]s<ref>[http://majornelson.com/2011/08/26/news-from-halo-fest/ '''Xbox Live's Major Nelson''': ''News From Halo Fest'']</ref> and massive refineries such as that on [[Pegasi Delta]].<ref>''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'', p. 15</ref>
In order to obtain fuel for their pinch fusion reactors, the Covenant operate various groundside facilities on worlds rich in tritium and deuterium, including [[hydro-processing center]]s<ref>[http://majornelson.com/2011/08/26/news-from-halo-fest/ '''Xbox Live's Major Nelson''': ''News From Halo Fest'']</ref> and massive refineries such as that on [[Pegasi Delta]].<ref>''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'', p. 15</ref>

Revision as of 09:46, June 14, 2020

An assault carrier's pinch fusion reactor

Pinch fusion reactors are nuclear fusion reactors that served as a source of power generation used by the Covenant.[1] Using deuterium and tritium as fuel,[2] pinch fusion reactors replicate the conditions inside the core of a star to generate enormous amounts of plasma and power. These reactors power the weapons and engines of warships,[1] the impulse drives of smaller ships,[3] and even the combat harnesses of Sangheili warriors.[4]

The pinch fusion reactor serves as the primary source of power for Covenant warships, though a handful of classes were powered by shrine-cores, power plants extracted from Forerunner machinery.[5]

Description

The reactors use focused artificial gravity generators to initiate and sustain a fusion reaction, replicating the conditions inside the core of stars. This process generates an enormous amount of power and plasma.[1][6] Through deuterium-tritium fusion, the plasma that is generated is compressed and heated by pinched magnetic fields.[2] Non-essential ship systems may be rendered inert or disconnected to divert the output of the reactors entirely to specific systems, such as armaments or propulsion.[7] The reactors are surprisingly primitive for the Covenant,[2] and are quite volatile.[6] If their cooling systems become disabled or their maximum heat loads are exceeded, they can often fail explosively[8]—the reactors can detonate with the power of a small supernova should containment efforts fail.[1] They provide 12 terawatts per reactor.[9]

Applications and usage

Pinch fusion reactors are most notably used on Covenant warships, powering the weapons and engines. The CPV-class heavy destroyer has two pinch fusion reactors; the primary reactor powers the destroyer's powerful superheavy excavation beam, while the secondary reactors power the rest of the ship.[1] The largest pinch fusion reactor of the CCS-class battlecruiser provides the energy needed to ignite plasma torpedoes and charge its excavation beam.[10] The impulse drives fitted on fighters, dropships, and shuttles are powered by a small pinch fusion reactor.[3] Scaled-down reactors are used to power the Covenant's Type-38 "Tyrant" anti-air cannons and Sangheili combat harnesses, with a modified version being incorporated into the Sangheili-designed HELIOSKRILL-class Mjolnir.[4] Unyielding Hierophant was also powered by pinch fusion reactors.[8]

In order to obtain fuel for their pinch fusion reactors, the Covenant operate various groundside facilities on worlds rich in tritium and deuterium, including hydro-processing centers[11] and massive refineries such as that on Pegasi Delta.[12]

Gallery

  • An assault carrier's pinch fusion reactor in Halo 2

    An assault carrier's pinch fusion reactor in Halo 2

  • A Tyrant's pinch fusion reactor in Halo: Reach

    A Tyrant's pinch fusion reactor in Halo: Reach

List of appearances

Sources

  1. ^ a b c d e Halo: Warfleet, p. 61
  2. ^ a b c Halo: First Strike, p. 193 (2003); p. 234 (2010)
  3. ^ a b Halo: Warfleet, p. 59
  4. ^ a b Halo Waypoint: Community Update (07/29/16): The Finals Countdown
  5. ^ Halo: Warfleet, p. 65
  6. ^ a b Halo: Warfleet, p. 91
  7. ^ Halo: Warfleet, p. 71
  8. ^ a b Halo: First Strike, p. 305 (2003)
  9. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 305
  10. ^ Halo: Warfleet, p. 62
  11. ^ Xbox Live's Major Nelson: News From Halo Fest
  12. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, p. 15
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