Deuterium is a stable isotope of hydrogen, also called heavy hydrogen, with the chemical symbol D or ²H
- Discovered by Harold C. Urey (1931)
- Nuclear Fusion: Fuel in prototype fusion reactors (with tritium) [“mini sun” on Earth]
- Heavy Water (D₂O): Neutron moderator in heavy water-moderated fission reactors (e.g., India’s CANDU)
- Scientific Tracer: Used in nuclear fusion research & nutrition assessments
- Reaction Mechanism: Studying organic reaction mechanisms (deuterium labeling)
- Military/Industrial: Nuclear weapons (tritium production), scientific fields.
Source: PIB