Physics – Nuclear Physics – Nuclear Theory
Scientific paper
2000-10-09
Physics
Nuclear Physics
Nuclear Theory
21 pages, 5 figures; more figures are presented
Scientific paper
In conventional nuclear experiments a beam of accelerated nuclei collides with a target nucleus that is surrounded by other nuclei in a molecule, in condensed matter, or in a plasma environment. It is shown that for low collision energies possible nuclear reactions (including deuterium fusion) are strongly boosted by the environment. The effect originates from a chain of preliminary three elastic collisions which transform the projectile-target experiment into one with colliding beams. Firstly, the projectile-target pair of nuclei undergo elastic scattering in which the projectile shares its energy and momentum with the target nucleus. Then the projectile and target nuclei collide with different heavy nuclei from the environment. These latter collisions change the velocities of the target and projectile nuclei and set them again on the collision course. Finally, the same pair of nuclei collide inelastically, this time giving rise to the nuclear reaction. The increased energy of the target nucleus increases the relative velocity up to sqrt 2 times, resulting in a drastic exponential increase of the probability to penetrate the Coulomb barrier and therefore sharply increasing the likelihood of the nuclear reaction. Applications to laser-induced fusion are discussed.
Altshuler Boris L.
Flambaum Victor V.
Kuchiev Michael Yu.
No associations
LandOfFree
A boost to low energy nuclear reactions from preliminary elastic collisions (Carambole collisions) does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with A boost to low energy nuclear reactions from preliminary elastic collisions (Carambole collisions), we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A boost to low energy nuclear reactions from preliminary elastic collisions (Carambole collisions) will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-78064