In February I proposed that an electron beam with 100 Kev energy (more or less) with
an electron temperature of about a billion deg K could heat the deuterons in Lithium Deuteride
to a comparable temperature, and effect fusion reactions.
An electron with 100 Kev velocity of ~ 1.7e8 meters/second (62% of c) can only "donate"
a small amount of momentum to a deuteron, but, with the "soccerball effect" of 60 or more
successive beam-electron-deuteron collisions, the deuteron can approach the velocity (billion deg K temperature)
of a free deuteron with 100 Kev energy at modest electron beam currents and energy densities.
A capsule of LiD with a small hole, in a differentially-pumped Electron Beam Welder capable of 100 Kev at a
few milliamperes in a millimeter diameter beam (the LiD has a vapor pressure of
about 60 Torr at it's ~688 deg K melting point) should tell the story.
Frederick
