Jones,
I think the relativistic interpretation of Casimir effect fits
your hypothesis better but understand your statement "acceleration of any kind
can increases between Casimir plates or walls because the vacuum energy-density
is lower inside than outside the cavity." Is a less controversial way to
introduce your idea. I have posted an abridged blog that focuses only on the
Casimir effect at
http://froarty.scienceblog.com/16/relativistic-interpretation-of-casimir-effect/
Regards
Fran
From: Jones Beene [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, June 11, 2010 12:15 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Vo]:Nickel O-P fusion and beta decay (corrected)
The following is a continuation of a formative hypothesis for the excess energy
release in one category of LENR involving nickel as the active host; and in
particular the Arata-Zhang results and numerous replications. The key insight
is the Oppenheimer-Phillips effect, operating within the confines of a Casimir
cavity on a specific isotope of nickel.
Arata and Zhang demonstrated, in a remarkable low-powered (unpowered)
experiment, a stronger excess heat effect in nickel than in palladium; but an
alloy of nickel with about 15% Pd seems to be optimum. The key to his success
is probably related to nanostructure - but it highlights the fact that nickel
is likely to be the better choice for the host matrix in any kind of LENR,
especially when alloyed, and for the reasons independent of geometry, to be
outlined below.
The logic of that observation is that an essentially unpowered experiment,
which has been reproduced by at least six groups to date (two yet to be
published) must imply that when power is added, the gain will be multiplied.
This obvious "next step" is underway in a few labs and in particular the Rossi
energy amplifier, which has been rumored to be successful.
The further hope is that a combination of nanostructure, Casimir cavity
optimization, outside energy input and direct energy conversion can be
anticipated to push the results of a hybrid reactor closer to the level of what
will be required for the long-awaited commercial application ... even if that
first product only involves mundane space heating. In any event, this is a wide
open area of research due to the range of prior art, overlap with Mills'
hydrino theory, which is non-nuclear, and expired patents.
In a prior version of this hypothesis there was an incorrect focus on so-called
"halo nuclei" which are nuclei having excess neutrons, teetering on the edge of
nuclear stability. As it turns out, there is no need to invoke this modality.
The well-known Oppenheimer-Phillips (O-P) effect will suffice to explain most
of the experimental results, especially when it is considered to operate with
an appropriate acceleration cavity - or with relativistic (time distortion)
effects.
Stated simply, acceleration of any kind can increases between Casimir plates or
walls because the vacuum energy-density is lower inside than outside the
cavity. A "dissolved" deuteron which is exiting from a nickel matrix into a
cavity experiences a strong venturi effect, and the rate of acceleration itself
then increases to the extent necessary to push the deuteron into the inner
shell of a nickel "target", located on the opposite wall - from whence electron
shell a "slingshot" effect can electrostatically push the deuteron close to the
nucleus, overcoming Coulomb repulsion with the help of O-P shielding.
The first relevant fact is that over two-thirds of natural nickel is the
isotope 58Ni, which has very high nuclear stability - but there is also a ~1%
isotope: 64Ni which is 6 a.m.u. or ~11% heavier. This is the highest percentage
of excess neutrons (compared to the most stable isotope) for any transition
metal in the Periodic Table; but that fact alone does not imply metastability,
such as in the case of true halo nuclei. From there on, "facts" fade and the
explanation offered is to a large part contingent on how well it explains
experimental results.
If we look into the precise mechanics of the Oppenheimer-Phillips effect, it is
clear that it might not explain actual experimental results with 58Ni or 60Ni
the majority isotopes - but that it does work with 64Ni as the target. The
larger issue then resolves to: is there a mechanism that favors the anomalously
"heavy nickel" isotope, in promoting this effect ? Whether or not there is
anything special about the extra level of neutrons, such as a presumed
near-field shielding of positive nuclear charge is unknown. There is some logic
but no proof that a partially shielded near-field, as would be seen by an
approaching deuteron in the range of angstroms, is beneficial for the O-P
effect only with that isotope; or that excess neutrons do provide that close
shielding which statistically favors the O-P effect for 64Ni, as opposed to the
other isotopes which are less shielded.
The Oppenheimer-Phillips process, or "stripping reaction", is a type of
deuteron-induced nuclear reaction which depends on charge shielding of another
kind. In this process, the neutron component of an approaching deuteron fuses
with a target nucleus, transmuting the target to a heavier isotope, while
ejecting the proton. An example, discovered over 85 years ago, is the nuclear
transmutation of carbon-12 to carbon-13 at lower than expected energy.
The semantic distinction should be made that this is a fusion reaction,
followed by beta day of the heavier nucleus. The fusion is between deuterium
and nickel. The ash is a immediate proton, and eventually a beta particle and a
transmuted element (to copper in the case of 65Ni). Gamma radiation, even if
secondary, should be apparent. The mechanics of interaction allow a nuclear
fusion interaction to take place at lower energies than would be expected from
a calculation of the Coulomb barrier between a deuteron and a target nucleus.
This is because - as a deuteron approaches the positively charged target
nucleus, it experiences a charge polarization where the "proton-end" faces away
from the target and the "neutron-end" faces towards the target. The deuteron
must be accelerated of course, but the rate of acceleration, being a function
of time, is expected to be influenced by time distortion within a Casimir
cavity. In this hypothesis, the Casimir cavity of 2-10 nm is a sine qua non for
success. The fusion proceeds when the binding energy of the approaching neutron
and the target nucleus exceeds the binding energy of the deuteron and its
trailing proton. This is a QM reaction which may be statistically altered due
to time distortion. The split proton is then repelled from the new heavier
nucleus. This is one indicia of the reaction - hydrogen in place of deuterium
which will show up in an assay of gases at the end.
Putting this reaction into the context of nickel: with the 58Ni, the O-P effect
would give 59Ni as the activated nucleus - but this has a very long half-lie -
thousands of years so that does not help us very much. However, with 64Ni you
get 65Ni as the activated nucleus and it has a 2.5 hr half life and decays to
copper. This is the range half-life that can explain "heat after death" and
also the delay in heat buildup over time, and also a transmutation product
which has been witnessed in prior LENR results.
This hypotheses should be falsifiable in several ways. Among them is that the
copper isotope which is the transmutation product is the lesser of copper's two
isotopes, and that would be an excellent indicator. There should be a small
direct gamma signature, and beta electrons will leave a predictable spectrum of
bremsstrahlung radiation that should be detected, and there should be hydrogen
ash in the deuterium gas after a run which is commensurate with the excess
energy seen. All of these expected indicia give hope that the O-P/Casimir
hypothesis will either be confirmed or falsified soon.
Jones
