Nuclear fusion reactions of D-D are examined in an environment comprised of high-density cold deuterons embedded in a metal lattice, in which a small portion of the fuel is activated by hot neutrons. Such an environment provides enhanced screening of the Coulomb barrier, due to conduction and shell electrons of the metal lattice. It is well known that electron screening increases the probability of tunneling through the Coulomb barrier. Screening also significantly increases the probability of large vs small angle scattering of the reacting nuclei, enabling subsequent nuclear reactions.

The enhancing effect of screening for the nuclear reaction rate is a function of multiple parameters, including deuteron temperature and the relative scattering probability between the deuteron and the lattice metal nuclei. Electron screening also significantly increases the probability of interaction between hot deuterons and lattice nuclei, thereby increasing the likelihood of reaction multiplication. The range for the well-known electron screening lattice potential, U_e, is valid only when E >> U_e, where E is the energy in the center-of-mass reference frame.

Electron screening is essential for efficient nuclear fusion reactions to occur. Screening effects, as measured in deuterated metals, have been demonstrated to be important on fusion reactions rates. The nuclear reaction rate includes two primary factors--the Coulomb scattering of the projectile nuclei on the target nuclei, and the tunneling of the Coulomb barrier. During elastic scattering of charged particles on target deuterons, some of the projectile’s kinetic energy is transferred to the target deuteron. If enough kinetic energy is transferred to the deuteron, to overcome the Coulomb barrier, a subsequent nuclear fusion reaction is enabled. When the energetic deuterons interact with the lattice in a highly screened environment, electron screening plays a significant role in this transference process of kinetic energy. Furthermore, the superior efficiency of kinetic energy transference by energetic neutrons on target deuterons can result in subsequent reactions, and such a process, involving the neutrons, is a key ingredient in achieving and sustaining nuclear reactions.

References

• [1] Pines, Vladimir, et al.: Nuclear Fusion Reactions in Deuterated Metals. Phys. Rev. C (NASA/TP—2020- 5001617), vol. 101, 2020, p. 044609. Accessed May 21, 2020.
• [2] Steinetz, B.M., et al.: Novel Nuclear Reactions Observed in Bremsstrahlung-Irradiated Deuterated Metals (NASA/TP— 2020-5001616), Phys. Rev. C, vol. 101, no. 4, 2020, p. 044640. Accessed May 21, 2020.