Frida Ghitis: Fusion reactor produces more energy than was in the laser beams that sparked it. Unlike fission, in which atoms are split in conventional nuclear reactors, fusion leaves almost no toxic byproducts. History suggests fusion power is unlikely to play major role in the energy grid for years or decades. Scientists have for decades tried to produce a fusion reaction that puts out more energy than is put in. At the National Ignition Facility, researchers produced 3.15 megajoules of energy. This is a big step for researchers seeking to learn more about the dynamics of fusion reactions.
