Breeder Reactor
A specialized nuclear reactor designed to generate more fissile nuclear fuel than it consumes during operation.
Governing formula
²³⁸₉₂U + ¹₀n → ²³⁹₉₂U → ²³⁹₉₃Np → ²³⁹₉₄Pu (Breeding Ratio > 1)
SI unit
Breeding Ratio (Fissile Output / Input)
In depth
Breeder reactors utilize unmoderated fast neutrons to transform abundant non-fissile fertile material (like Uranium-238 or Thorium-232) into fissile fuel (like Plutonium-239 or Uranium-233) via neutron capture and double beta decay.
Examples in the real world
Liquid metal fast breeder reactors (LMFBR) using liquid sodium coolant to breed Plutonium-239 from Uranium-238 nuclear blankets.