Mapping the Transmutation Landscape Enabled by Deuterium-Tritium Fusion Power Plants

High-flux D-T fusion neutron sources create new possibilities for large-scale isotope production through neutron-induced transmutation. Building on our recent proposal for scalable gold synthesis via (n,2n) reactions on ¹⁹⁸Hg [1], we present the first systematic survey of the wider transmutation space enabled by a commercial fusion power plant.

Using transmutation trajectory analysis applied to modern nuclear reaction databases, we screen all available target isotopes and map reaction chains that yield precious metals, nuclear battery materials, and medically or industrially important radioisotopes. For each promising pathway we quantify key quantities such as neutron economy, specific activity, parasitic activation, and projected revenue.

These findings position fusion reactors as co-generation facilities, simultaneously generating electricity and supplying high-value isotopes, thereby strengthening plant economics and supporting critical material supply chains.

[1] Rutkowski, A., Harter, J. and Parisi, J., 2025. Scalable Chrysopoeia via (n, 2n) Reactions Driven by Deuterium-Tritium Fusion Neutrons. arXiv preprint arXiv:2507.13461.