Hi Jones, Consider the possibilities resulting from the existence of a shrunken molecule:-
Deuterium molecules that had not shrunk far enough to fuse might easily be confused with Helium. They are chemically non-reactive, and very close to the same mass. Those that have shrunk far enough to fuse, might fuse in their entirety adding 4 amu to the target nucleus, or they may only add a single deuteron to a target nucleus, or they may contribute only a neutron (or proton). If the whole molecules fuses the addition of two deuterons concurrently may well provide sufficient energy to bring about a fission reaction so that the kinetic energy is shared by the daughter products, again usually creating stable nuclei, because the original target nucleus wasn't all that neutron rich to begin with. (Note that science currently really only has experience with fission brought about by single neutrons, which is why fission reactions are only seen with some actinide targets - a single neutron only adds about 6-10 MeV to a nucleus, so it has to be pretty unstable to start with if it is to fission. OTOH, a well shrunken D molecule could add 20-36 MeV, making fission of much lighter nuclei possible.) In each case, heavy particles are left behind which readily share momentum & kinetic energy, so that the reaction is mostly "clean". The different sizes, and consequently differing reactions & reaction ratios, available would provide an explanation as to why the "helium"/energy ratio is difficult to pin down. Neutron hopping from a shrunken deuterium molecule should happen very readily, because the neutron is only bound in the deuterium nucleus by 2.2 MeV, whereas the binding energy for most other nuclei is about 6-10 MeV. Furthermore the shrunken deuterium molecule can get very close to other nuclei, possibly reducing the tunneling distance by orders of magnitude, and thus increasing the tunneling probability astronomically (it's insanely dependent on separation distance). Shrunken deuterium *atoms* would also contribute to neutron hopping, especially if the magnetic field of such an atom binds it to the magnetic field of the target nucleus, causing it to "stick" long enough for tunneling to occur. Given that the shrinkage process itself is also exothermic, *no* miracles are required, only a set of circumstances that provide at least one shrinkage catalyst. Both Lithium & Potassium can fill this role, and at least one of the two was often present in early electrolysis based CF experiments. Regards, Robin van Spaandonk local asymmetry = temporary success
