Nuclear fusion is the process that powers the Sun and stars, and results in high-energy output. However, achieving nuclear fusion in lab settings is very challenging because it requires extreme temperature and pressure conditions.
A new study details a more practical alternative to nuclear fusion. It shows that one-neutron stripping (ONS) can produce similar or more output than a fusion reaction. This is particularly true in low-energy regions close to the minimum energy threshold required for a nuclear reaction. ONS is a nuclear reaction during which a neutron from a moving nucleus is kicked out as it hits another nucleus. ONS is a type of one-neutron transfer reaction. The expelled neutron (from the moving nucleus) is absorbed by the target nucleus.
Compared to nuclear fusion, ONS is much simpler to achieve in the lab. These findings open a new and feasible avenue for achieving our nuclear energy goals.
Jesús Lubián is one of the study authors and an associate professor at Brazil’s Fluminense Federal University. He said, “By better understanding the behavior of nuclei in these conditions, we can enhance our approaches to nuclear energy production and radiation therapy.”
Scientists have been trying to comprehend the mechanism that leads to the transfer of neutrons in weakly bound nuclei for decades, It is important for us to decode this mechanism because it can greatly improve our understanding of nuclear physics, including various nuclear reactions.
The authors of the report performed an interesting experiment for this purpose. They examined the ONS process between Li-6 (a Lithium isotope) and Bi-209 (an isotope of Bismuth). Then they compared its output with that of the complete fusion reaction involving the same isotopes.
They utilized the GALILEO Array (a grammar-ray detector) in combination with the 4π Si-ball EUCLIDES (an advanced laser detector) to study gamma-ray emissions and detect charged particles during the reactions.
The researchers note that they also used a special method known as the gamma-gamma coincidence, to study different gamma rays identified in the ONS. They said, “The gamma-gamma coincidence was crucial in isolating specific reaction channels, allowing the team to pinpoint the behavior of nuclei under different conditions with high accuracy.”
The results of ONS between Bi-209 and Li-6 surprised the researchers. Here’s what the researchers found:
In the tested reaction, the weekly bound Li-6 collides with much heavier Bi-209. The result of this interaction indicates that one-neutron transfer is capable of producing output similar to that of a fusion reaction.
The study authors said that “One-neutron stripping process yields results comparable to those of complete fusion reactions especially in energy regions near nuclear barriers. Contrary to previous expectations, the results indicate that the one-neutron transfer plays a dominant role at lower energies, exceeding the output of fusion reactions.”
These findings may unlock new opportunities for employing one-neutron transfer in areas such as nuclear energy research.
The study authors added that “The process underscores the intricate and nuanced nature of nuclear reactions, providing a steppingstone for future scientific breakthroughs in nuclear science and technology.”