On the Laser Stimulation of Low-Energy Nuclear Reactions in Deuterated Palladium

Models to account for the observed experimental results for low-energy nuclear reactions in palladium-deuteride systems are presented along with calculated results. The crucial idea is a mechanism of improved probability for the needed penetration of the Coulomb barrier for a D-D reaction. This facilitation occurs, in general, with the formation of D^- ions at special frequency modes (e.g. via phonons) and, specifically for the laser-stimulated case, with utilization of enhanced optical potential at a selected interface. Both mechanisms may work individually, or together, to increase the probability of barrier penetration.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, Rev. 1, Significantly enhanced version (resulting from reviewer's comments), Rev. 2, embedded font and smaller file size. Keywords: CMNS, D--D+, LENR, optical-potential, resonance-enhancemen

Lochon Catalyzed D-D Fusion in Deuterated Palladium in the Solid State

Lochons (local charged bosons or local electron pairs) can form on D+ to give D- (bosonic ions) in Palladium Deuteride in the solid state. Such entities will occur at special sites or in linear channel owing to strong electron-phonon interaction or due to potential inversion on metallic electrodes. These lochons can catalyze D- - D+ fusion as a consequence of internal conversion leading to the formation of He-4 plus production of energy (Q=23.8 MeV) which is carried by the alpha particle and the ejected electron-pair. The reaction rate for this fusion process is calculated.Comment: 3 pages: see also arXiv:cond-mat/0603213 (Current Science, Vol. 91, No. 7, pp. 907-912, 10/10/06) Accepted for publication: National Academy of Science (India) Letter

Laser stimulation of low-energy nuclear reactions in deuterated palladium

Models to account for the observed experimental results for low-energy nuclear reactions in palladium- deuteride systems are presented along with calculated results. The crucial idea is a mechanism of improved probability for the needed penetration of the Coulomb barrier for a D-D reaction. This facilitation occurs, in general, with the formation of D− ions at special frequency modes (e.g. via phonons) and, specifically for the laser-stimulated case, with utilization of enhanced optical potential at a selected interface. Both mechanisms may work individually, or together, to increase the probability of barrier penetration

Composite model for LENR in linear defects of a lattice

Mathematical models for Low-Energy Nuclear Fusion (LENR) of hydrogen, H, and deuterium, D, are brought together in the context of over 20 years of searching for the answer to the source of nuclear fusion without the requisite kinetic energy to overcome a nuclear Coulomb barrier. The earliest of these models is Julian Schwinger's proposal [1] to combine, in a single Hamiltonian, the attractive nuclear potential with the repulsive Coulomb potential to reach an excited state of 4He. The second was K.P. Sinha's 1999 model[2] to use the natural electron pairing to form charge-polarized D+D-pairs in a linear defect that is attractive rather than repulsive. Ed Storms' linear array of hydrogen 'atoms' in a gap or crevice in the lattice appears to combine Schwinger's and Sinha's concepts. Portions of other models, where applicable, are mentioned. Another paper, to be presented in this conference, will provide a pictorial description of phonon activity in Sinha's linear array (and presumably Storms' also) of D or H atoms. The present paper concentrates first on a description of the many parameters and conditions necessary to solve the problem. (It will neither present nor solve the full equations.) The full Hamiltonian for the process must cover distances from the lattice spacing down to the nuclear force region. The different forces and frequencies involved in the various component interactions of the system vary greatly over this range of five orders of magnitude. The critical processes are mentioned along with their interdependencies. The importance of each model's contributions is highlighted. An appendix on mathematical modeling of the system provides more details and integration of the equations involved. This model does not address all aspects of the LENR process, but it does lead to some of the mechanisms that can explain observed data. These include: a means of overcoming the nuclear coulomb barrier by linearizing and overlapping multiple bound atomic-electron trajectories along with the hydrogen sublattice; a means of dissipating nuclear energy to the lattice gradually, but before the protons actually are bound by their mutual nuclear forces; and a means of fusing deuterons into 4He without ever occupying the excited states that fragment into the known 'hot' fusion products of protons, neutrons, tritium, and 3He, or energetic gamma rays. It also provides a means of forming hydrogen femto-molecules (H2(f), or perhaps even Hn(f)), as an alternative path for the p-e-p or p-e-e-p fusion to deuterium

A model for enhanced fusion reaction in a solid matrix of metal deuterides

Our study shows that the cross-section for fusion improves considerably if d-d pairs are located in linear (one-dimensional) chainlets or line defects. Such non-equilibrium defects can exist only in a solid matrix. Further, solids harbor lattice vibrational modes (quanta, phonons) whose longitudinal-optical modes interact strongly with electrons and ions. One such interaction, resulting in potential inversion, causes localization of electron pairs on deuterons. Thus, we have attraction of D+ D- pairs and strong screening of the nuclear repulsion due to these local electron pairs (local charged bosons: acronym, lochons). This attraction and strong coupling permits low-energy deuterons to approach close enough to alter the standard equations used to define nuclear-interaction cross-sections. These altered equations not only predict that low-energy-nuclear reactions (LENR) of D+ D- (and H+ H-) pairs are possible, they predict that they are probable.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figur

Workshop summary: New silicon cells

The workshop on new silicon cells held during SPRAT12 is summarized. A smaller than average group attended this workshop reflecting the reduction in research dollars available to this portion of the photovoltaics community. Despite the maturity of the silicon technology, a core of the group maintained an excitement about new developments and potential opportunities. The group addressed both the implications and the applications of recent developments. Topics discussed include: light trapping and ultrathin silicon cells; different uses for silicon cells; new silicon cell developments; and radiation tolerant high efficiency cells

MEM-BRAIN gas separation membranes for zero-emission fossil power plants

The aim of the MEM-BRAIN project is the development and integration of gas separation membranes for zero-emission fossil power plants. This will be achieved by selective membranes with high permeability for CO2, O2 or H2, so that high-purity CO2 is obtained in a readily condensable form. The project is being implemented by the “MEM-BRAIN” Helmholtz Alliance consisting of research centres, universities and industrial partners.\ud \ud The MEM-BRAIN project focuses on the development, process engineering, system integration and energy systems analysis of different gas separation membranes for the different CO2 capture process routes in fossil power plants

Quantum-coupled single-electron thermal to electric conversion scheme

Thermal to electric energy conversion with thermophotovoltaics relies on radiation emitted by a hot body, which limits the power per unit area to that of a blackbody. Microgap thermophotovoltaics take advantage of evanescent waves to obtain higher throughput, with the power per unit area limited by the internal blackbody, which is n2 higher. We propose that even higher power per unit area can be achieved by taking advantage of thermal fluctuations in the near-surface electric fields. For this, we require a converter that couples to dipoles on the hot side, transferring excitation to promote carriers on the cold side which can be used to drive an electrical load. We analyze the simplest implementation of the scheme, in which excitation transfer occurs between matched quantum dots. Next, we examine thermal to electric conversion with a lossy dielectric (aluminum oxide) hot-side surface layer. We show that the throughput power per unit active area can exceed the n2 blackbody limit with this kind of converter. With the use of small quantum dots, the scheme becomes very efficient theoretically, but will require advances in technology to fabricate