This is a complex process with many stages, involving a complex radiation protection system to implement in the reactor and the hot cell. It also requires a powerful neutron flux (> 10¹⁴ n/cm²s) with considerable primary system cooling arrangements.

It nevertheless provides a high level of efficiency.

More specifically, a heavy atomic nucleus (i.e. a large number of nucleons, such as in uranium and plutonium) is split into two or more lighter nuclides.  This nuclear reaction results in the emission of neutrons (generally two or three), which maintains the chain reaction and releases a significant quantity of energy.