I wrote: Does anyone (maybe Robin?) know enough about quantum mechanics to clarify > whether it would be possible for the ~5.5 MeV in the case of p+d -> 3He + Q > to be transferred to several electrons, rather than a single one? Is it > necessary that the energy be transferred to a single target? Or can there > be multiple recipients? >
To answer my own question -- it must be possible, as this is what Peter Hagelstein's theory of harmonic oscillation between the reaction-in-formation and the lattice sites is predicated upon. I guess my next question is what determines the likelihood that the [dp]* decay will electrostatically dump to a single electron or to an ensemble? Would this have the effect of broadening the band dramatically? And would that have spatial effects? I'm thinking of the electrons in this thought experiment as bees. If you upset them and they become angry, they will fly around and swarm around all over the place. To take the thought experiment to the (unrealistic) limiting case, I wonder how much of this kind of excitation would be required to attract p's and d's in the interstices to one another? Eric
