The quest for generating power (heat and electricity) through nuclear fusion, for widespread use, can be said to have begun over a hundred years ago, with theoretical research into the concept that the nuclei of light atoms (such as hydrogen) could be fused together and release energy. This idea was followed by the suggestion that stars such as our Sun generate energy (light and heat which we experience on Earth) through fusion processes. Early experiments utilizing high temperature gases confined by powerful magnets were proposed about 70 years ago, to replicate this process on Earth. Many ideas for developing well-controlled fusion devices, for generating useful power, followed initial demonstrations of the potential power from nuclear reactions in the 1940's. In the decades since these early developments, many novel concepts, several large laboratories, and numerous commercial companies have focused on the goal of achieving controlled nuclear fusion to meet the world's need for energy.

A variety of fusion processes and devices have been proposed, all aimed at producing power in ways that don’t release CO₂ (such as produced by the burning fossil fuels) and don’t produce significant radioactive waste (such as produced in nuclear fission reactors). It is the aim of the instrument described here to fulfill needs for education about fusion processes, and to enable research into fusion processes, with a primary focus on the understanding of fusion concepts by students in colleges and universities, in science and engineering classes and laboratories. The instrument we describe will help educate a much-needed generation of scientists, engineers, technicians, and entrepreneurs, who will be needed to enable commercial fusion to power the Earth.

Given the remarkable advances in fusion in the last 5 years, the compact Alpha-E accelerator is an important and novel tool. It adds to an exciting and rapidly advancing environment, by allowing students and new researchers, in a safe setting, the chance to obtain invaluable hands-on experience with basic fusion reactions and hardware, and with the advanced detector technology needed for detecting these fusion reactions.