Deuterium-burning energy-generation rate
= Deuterium-burning energy-generation rate
{title2=$\epsilon_D$}
At the temperatures relevant to pre-main-sequence stars, a useful steep power-law approximation to the specific deuterium-burning rate is $\epsilon_D\propto\rho T^{15}$. Its sensitivity to central temperature makes deuterium burning act as a temporary thermostat.