The discussion revolves around the energy requirements for particles to overcome the Coulomb Barrier, particularly in the context of nuclear fusion. Participants explore the energy levels and temperatures needed for this process, referencing both classical and quantum mechanical perspectives.
Participants express differing views on the energy levels required to overcome the Coulomb Barrier, with some citing specific keV values while others emphasize the complexity of the problem and the role of quantum mechanics. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact energy requirements and the implications of the proposed patent.
There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions made about classical versus quantum mechanical treatments of the Coulomb Barrier, as well as the specific conditions under which fusion probabilities are calculated.
See here for example:cassioiks said: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?
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.cassioiks said:Found this one too: http://burro.cwru.edu/Academics/Astr221/StarPhys/coulomb.html
Just 3-10 keV of energy to overcome it.