Work

Known mechanisms that increase nuclear fusion rates in the solid state

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: We investigate known mechanisms for enhancing nuclear fusion rates at ambient temperatures and pressures in solid-state environments. In deuterium fusion, on which the paper is focused, an enhancement of >40 orders of magnitude would be needed to achieve observable fusion. We find that different mechanisms for fusion rate enhancement are known across the domains of atomic physics, nuclear physics, and quantum dynamics. Cascading multiple such mechanisms could lead to an overall enhancement of 40 orders of magnitude or more. We present a roadmap with examples of how hypothesis-driven research could be conducted in—and across—each domain to probe the plausibility of technologically-relevant fusion in the solid state.

Source: New Journal of Physics

DOI: 10.1088/1367-2630/ad091c

Authors: Florian Metzler, Camden Hunt, Peter L Hagelstein, Nicola Galvanetto

Institutions: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Zurich

Language: English

Topic: Cold Fusion and Nuclear Reactions

Subfield: Nuclear and High Energy Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,485

Funder: Anthropocene Institute