"Plasma" is the most common form of matter in the universe. Called a "fourth" state or phase, (as it is unfamiliar - even alien to life in some ways) - yet ironically, plasma is primordial and the most important state of matter, from which everything derives.
The plasma state is defined as a "partially ionized" gas, in which a proportion of electrons are not bound to the atom. That can mean "hot" but heat is not required. The plasma is electrically conductive, if not superconductive, so that it responds strongly to electromagnetic fields. Plasmas can exist in a wide range of parameters and can be extremely cold. In fact (and another huge irony) - they usually are extremely cold ! (i.e. in terms of the proportion of the total population of plasma in the universe). The so-called CMB or cosmic microwave background radiation is proof of this - as it comes from a diffuse hydrogen plasma which is very near absolute zero in temperature, yet accounts for a significant portion of "dark matter" in the universe due to its ubiquity. Now we are getting down to the important parts of this hypothesis. Bear with me, it is not simple, so the table must be set for every arriving course. Cold plasmas, when the right parameters exist for this feature to occur: exist in the so-called "strong coupling regime." The CMB is one relic of this regime. This regime is where the energy of the Coulomb interactions between particles is larger than their thermal energy -- and it often demands that the particles be constrained in some fashion, like a magnetic field or even the "interstitial matrix" ... yet even a self-generated magnetic attraction between particles can be enough. Yes, I am also trying to make the case for the importance of the "interstitial matrix" of cold fusion - in that hydrogen (deuterium) inside such a space (i.e. a proton conductor) can be said to be in the form of a "virtual plasma". Do you have a problem with that characterization? This "strong coupling regime" is a most important state for forcing reactions between atoms which would normally require extremely high energy to interact. This is because, essentially the particles are closer to being "fixed targets" than moving targets... yet surprisingly - ask yourself this (especially if you have followed LENR for a long time): how often have I heard the "strong coupling regime" even mentioned as being important? (that is- outside of a Peter Hagelstein lecture like the recent one at MIT) Yes, the "strong coupling regime" is an important part of cosmology - but in condensed-matter physics ? not so sure. This can change. Hagelstein seems to be able to drop these 'depth charges' of insight almost casually, and it can take months for them to finally sink-in. IOW - although an strong coupling regime would seem to be rare on earth unless in a vacuum chamber, there is the strong possibility that the "virtual" version this regime is responsible for many if not most hydrino and pre-LENR effects (those effects which precede low enthalpy fusion (which is evidenced by transmutation products but few other indicia of fusion). Now you realize that all of the above word-salad was an appetizer to the main-course in which the "meat dish" is a bit tepid <g> That is, to suggest that maximizing the "strong coupling regime" could be a major yet under-appreciated strategy for taking LENR to another level; and furthermore that there does exists a tasty recipe for doing this. The importance of the "strong coupling regime" points directly to why terahertz radiation (submillimeter radiation), expecially coherent radiation in that spectrum, may be the future of robust "on demand" LENR. These lasers are just now appearing. Hydrogen (deuterium) inside a matrix which is "open" (i.e. a proton conductor) can be said to be in the form of a "virtual plasma" and the best way to stimulate Coulomb interactions, such as P-e-P without increasing heat input (which destroys the parameters by creating radiply moving targets) is by increasing the coupling by an input of "cold" (tepid) radiation. This submillimeter spectrum defines the crossover point where thermal and Coulomb interactions can have dynamic featrues appoximately equal = 300+ degree K and 100 micron wavelength (which is the long-edge of far-infrared light). BTW I have posted previously on the possibility of attaining "triple coherency" (at least transient) in an active LENR cell which is semi-coherent in phonon vibration enhanced by active temperature regulation combined with external photon irradiaton which amintains the same temp -- all to maximize a cavity resonance at the same frequency. This is a further evolution of that suggestion - based on continuing announcements of Terahertz laser advances (primarily for airport security) and finally the 'dawning' - of what it was Hagelstein has been talking about with the strong coupling regime (at least I think this is what he was thinking about, and wish I could explain it better- maybe if the meme continues to sink-in that will happen before senility sets-in). Jones
