Overcoming the Coulomb Barrier: Energy Requirements

In summary: The inventor suggests using a Plasma Wakefield Accelerator (PWFA).In summary, the application teaches how a Plasma Wakefield Accelerator could reduce the height of the Coulomb barrier, making it possible for two particles to fuse.
  • #1
cassioiks
4
0
How much energy particles must have in order to overcome the Coulomb Barrier?
Or the correct way to ask this is how much temperature is required for this?
 
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  • #4
cassioiks said:
Found this one too: http://burro.cwru.edu/Academics/Astr221/StarPhys/coulomb.html

Just 3-10 keV of energy to overcome it.
Well that is not anywhere close to the energy required to overcome the classical physics coulomb barrier. Quantum mechanics nonetheless predicts the two particles have a chance of tunneling through the coulomb barrier. In the case of proton-proton fusion the chance is comparatively low, so that even the in the great densities found in the sun's core the chance of fusion for a given particle amounts to once in some millions of years. The isotopes of hydrogen, deuterium (D) and tritium (T), have a much greater chance of fusing for a given energy. The maximum chance for D-T fusion occurs from ~15 to 100 keV. I believe the European magnetic confinement fusion reactor ITER is intended to around 10-15 keV using D-T.

[URL]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d0/Fusion_rxnrate.svg[/URL]
 
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  • #5
fusor inventor

The question of the Coulomb Barrier could also be addresses as how can one eliminate the electric field setup between the two nuclei approaching each other? This question is addressed in a new patent application published on USPTO patent applications website. Just search Coulomb Barrier and nuclear fusion. The title of the invention is: “apparatus and process for penetration of the Coulomb Barrier”. This invention teaches how the height of the Coulomb Barrier could be reduced and then eliminated.
 
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1. What is the Coulomb barrier?

The Coulomb barrier refers to the electrostatic repulsion between two positively charged nuclei that prevents them from coming into close contact with each other. This barrier must be overcome in order for nuclear fusion reactions to occur.

2. How is the Coulomb barrier overcome?

The Coulomb barrier can be overcome by providing enough energy to the colliding nuclei to overcome their repulsive forces. This can be achieved through high temperatures and pressures, as well as through the use of particle accelerators.

3. What is the minimum energy required to overcome the Coulomb barrier?

The minimum energy required to overcome the Coulomb barrier varies depending on the specific nuclei involved in the fusion reaction. Generally, it is in the range of millions of electron volts (MeV) per particle.

4. How does the energy requirement for overcoming the Coulomb barrier change with the type of nuclei involved?

The energy required to overcome the Coulomb barrier increases with the atomic number (Z) of the nuclei involved in the fusion reaction. This is because nuclei with higher Z have stronger electrostatic repulsion, requiring more energy to overcome.

5. Can the Coulomb barrier be completely eliminated?

No, the Coulomb barrier cannot be completely eliminated. However, it can be reduced by bringing the colliding nuclei closer together, such as in the case of nuclear fusion reactions that occur in the core of stars. In this scenario, the high temperatures and pressures allow for the nuclei to overcome the Coulomb barrier and fuse together.

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