Overcoming the Coulomb Barrier: Energy Requirements

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To overcome the Coulomb Barrier, particles require energy levels typically between 3-10 keV, though classical physics suggests this is insufficient. Quantum mechanics allows for tunneling, which provides a low probability for fusion events, particularly in proton-proton interactions, where fusion occurs only once in millions of years in the sun's core. Isotopes like deuterium and tritium have a higher fusion probability, with optimal energy levels ranging from 15 to 100 keV. The ITER project aims to achieve fusion using deuterium-tritium at around 10-15 keV. Recent innovations propose methods to reduce or eliminate the Coulomb Barrier, potentially enhancing fusion efficiency.
cassioiks
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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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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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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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