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{{delete|no canon sources for it besides the non-canon Stephen Loftus diagrams}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{FOF-1}}
[[File:H2A-AssaultCarrierCore.jpg|300px|thumb|An [[CAS-class assault carrier|assault carrier]]'s pinch fusion reactor]]
'''Pinch Fusion Generators''' are a form of power generator onboard the [[Covenant]] starships, such as the [[Covenant CCS-class Battlecruiser]]{{fact}}. They are likely used for other machines or structures, but this is unknown.
'''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>


Pinch fusion is also a type of fusion theorised about today, it is probably where the concept for the game came from.
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>


<ref>[[Halo: The Flood]]</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>


== Sources ==  
==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}}


<references/>  
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>


[[Category:The Covenant]]
==Gallery==
[[Category:Technology]]
<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==
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo 2]]''
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''
 
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources|2}}
 
[[Category:Power generation]]

Revision as of 21:40, November 8, 2023

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] Each reactor on Unyielding Hierophant provide 512 terawatts .[9]

Applications and usage

Pinch fusion reactors are most notably used on Covenant warships, powering the weapons and engines. The Sinaris-pattern heavy destroyer has two pinch fusion reactors; the primary reactor powers the destroyer's powerful superheavy excavation beam, while the secondary reactor powers the rest of the ship.[1] The largest pinch fusion reactor of the Ket-pattern 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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