Robin,
Yes - in the O-P effect, as you say - one or the other nucleons of D is
absorbed by a target nucleus; and in the Fusor, it usually is the neutron.
When the neutron is absorbed the net energy is ~20% less even though the
mass of reactants cannot explain that difference, and the net energy should
go the other way. O-P is a lower net energy reaction than thermonuclear and
the explanation offered by Oppie is "negative kinetic energy". Kim of Purdue
has a couple of papers out on the branching ratio energies.
To get both a free neutron and a free proton, when deuterium is the only
reactant there must be two reactions: D+D -> He-3 + n and D+D -> Tritium +
p. However, since you have both a free proton and a neutron in the end,
there is little way to be certain how they got there . other than theory.
The reason that Fusor enthusiasts can be fairly certain that this is "warm"
and not exactly "hot fusion" as seen in a Tokomak besides the low input
energy is the branching ratio is different, the energy per fusion event is
less, and the plasma is comparatively cold. Comparatively less tritium is
seen, and significantly less net energy per fusion event occurs than if the
branching was the "hot" since the tritium reaction is more energetic by 700
keV and it is suppressed.
In effect, that's a lot of "negative kinetic energy" due to tunneling, no?
Jones
"Neutrons are 'stripped' from the deuterium"...and so they are, but only
when either the neutron or the proton is immediately absorbed by another
nucleus. I doubt he intended to imply that the result of said reaction would
be both a free neutron and a free proton. IOW at least one of the two needs
to be absorbed by a target nucleus for this reaction to occur. You can
borrow 2.2 MeV from the Heisenberg bank, but you only get a *very* short
term loan. ;)
