Tritium

Tritium, or hydrogen-3, is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen with one proton and two neutrons. It decays by beta emission into helium-3.

Beta decay: Radioactive decay in which a nucleus emits an electron or positron, changing a neutron into a proton or vice versa. Tritium decays by emitting an electron as one neutron becomes a proton.
Tritium–deuterium fusion: A nuclear fusion reaction between tritium and deuterium that produces helium-4, a neutron, and energy. This reaction is a leading candidate fuel cycle for controlled fusion.
Cosmogenic nuclide: A nuclide formed when cosmic rays interact with atoms in Earth’s atmosphere or surface. Cosmic-ray reactions continually create small amounts of natural tritium.
Radioactive contamination: The unwanted presence of radioactive substances in air, water, soil, or materials. Tritium releases can contaminate water and require monitoring.
Helium-3: A stable helium isotope whose nucleus contains two protons and one neutron. It is the nucleus left behind when tritium undergoes beta decay.
Tokamak: A toroidal device that confines hot plasma using magnetic fields for fusion research. Experimental tokamaks use tritium–deuterium fuel to study fusion conditions.
Cosmic-ray spallation: The fragmentation of atomic nuclei after bombardment by high-energy cosmic rays or particles. Spallation reactions in the atmosphere produce tritium from nitrogen and oxygen.
Tritium in the environment: The distribution and movement of tritium through atmospheric, aquatic, and biological systems. Its incorporation into water makes environmental pathways central to assessing releases.
Half-life: The time required for half the radioactive nuclei in a sample to decay. Tritium’s half-life determines how quickly its activity declines.
Nuclear weapons design: The engineering of nuclear weapons and the physical processes that produce their explosive energy. Some weapons use tritium to enhance fission reactions or support thermonuclear stages.

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