I'm also a big fan of proton capture, since it results in a cleaner reaction, and from what I gather the transmutations that are observed in LENR experiments are generally to stable nuclei, which, I'm given to understand, is consistent with proton capture in a way that it is not with neutron capture.
In this discussion is important to be clear about the system -- i.e., whether we're talking about Ni/H or Pd/D. In Ni/H, the main evidence so far is anecdotal or is gleaned from some studies that need further attention. But in that system there could well be proton capture going on. Whether it is the main reaction or not is an open question -- if Ni/H is analogous to Pd/D, the transmutation reactions are side reactions and are not the main source of heat; in Pd/D it appears to be 4He generation that is the source of heat, so in Ni/H the main channel might be deuterium generation, following Ed Storms, or, my preference, 3He generation. In that case, even if there is proton capture, it might be a secondary channel. Apart from the question about whether what is causing the transmutations in Ni/H is the main source of heat (I assume it is not), there is another challenge with proton capture -- namely, the transmutations are not all as nice as a simple increase in Z and the occasional inverse beta decay -- sometimes there is an increase of one alpha, sometimes of two, sometimes there is a decrease of an alpha, etc. The transmutations are better characterized in the Pd/D system, so I my memory could be fooling me about Ni/H. But be on the look out for transmutations that do not cleanly align with simple proton capture. It is these considerations that led me to Ron Maimon's theory as a favorite working hypothesis. Eric On Tue, Apr 30, 2013 at 12:03 AM, Chuck Sites <[email protected]> wrote: Yes Eric, exactly but that orbital for the hydrogen where it's orbital > radius is reduced is the s orbital. My thinking on this is that the s > orbital of the embedded proton under immense pressures from Ni lattice > electrons and general free electrons of the Ni d state - conduction > electron cloud. That should collapse the s orbital to a much smaller > radius than H would have in a gas state. I think it might be so strong > that it forms the "virtual neutron" that could then enable this LENR > process. Great discussion in the Ni62 + (VN) -> Cu63 thread. > > You know Eric, it is a matter of what the wave mechanics work out to be, > It's not a hydrino, I don't think there is a sub s orbital, but the core > proton is screened like one. It would not surprise me that the solid > state quantum mechanics of metals is distorted in a hydrated state. It > also would not surprise me to see the wave mechanics of a hydrogen atom > altered by the solid state environment. If the conduction band has an > over potential of electrons, it seems like it might influence the proton's > wave function radial diameter to compensate. The only thing that it really > need to do is shield the proton until it's in the sphere of the strong > force's influence. >
