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[[File: | [[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 | '''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/Reuse|wf61}} the [[impulse drive]]s of smaller ships,<ref name="wf59">''Halo: Warfleet'', p. 59</ref> and even the [[combat harness]]es 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> | |||
==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]].{{Ref/Reuse|wf61}}<ref name="wf91">''Halo: Warfleet'', p. 91</ref> Through [[deuterium]]-[[tritium]] fusion, the plasma that is generated is compressed and heated by [[Wikipedia:Pinch (plasma physics)|pinched]] magnetic fields.{{Ref/Reuse|fs}} 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.<ref>''Halo: Warfleet'', p. 71</ref> The reactors are surprisingly primitive for the Covenant,{{Ref/Reuse|fs}} and are quite volatile.{{Ref/Reuse|wf91}} If their cooling systems become disabled or their maximum heat loads are exceeded, they can often fail explosively<ref name="fs305">''Halo: First Strike'', p. 305 (2003)</ref>—the reactors can detonate with the power of a small [[supernova]] should containment efforts fail.{{Ref/Reuse|wf61}} Each reactor on Unyielding Hierophant provide 512 terawatts .<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''page 305''</ref> | |||
==Applications and usage== | |||
Pinch fusion reactors are most notably used on Covenant [[warship]]s, powering the weapons and engines. The {{Pattern|Sinaris|heavy destroyer}} has two pinch fusion reactors; the primary reactor powers the [[destroyer]]'s powerful [[Energy projector|superheavy excavation beam]], while the secondary reactor powers the rest of the ship.{{Ref/Reuse|wf61}} The largest pinch fusion reactor of the {{Pattern|Ket|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/Reuse|wf59}} Scaled-down reactors are used to power the Covenant's [[Cheru-pattern Tyrant|Type-38 "Tyrant" anti-air cannons]] and [[Sangheili]] [[combat harness]]es, with a modified version being incorporated into the Sangheili-designed [[HELIOSKRILL-class Mjolnir]].{{Ref/Reuse|CU}} ''[[Unyielding Hierophant]]'' was also powered by pinch fusion reactors.{{Ref/Reuse|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> | |||
==Gallery== | |||
<gallery> | |||
File:Covenant_Pinch_Fusion_reactor.jpg|An assault carrier's pinch fusion reactor in ''Halo 2'' | |||
File:T38 core.jpg|A Tyrant's pinch fusion reactor in ''Halo: Reach'' | |||
</gallery> | |||
==List of appearances== | ==List of appearances== | ||
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*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'' | *''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'' | ||
*''[[Halo: Reach]]'' | *''[[Halo: Reach]]'' | ||
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]'' | |||
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]'' | *''[[Halo: Escalation]]'' | ||
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' | |||
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]'' | |||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
{{Ref/Sources|2}} | |||
[[Category:Power generation]] | [[Category:Power generation]] | ||