Neutron Production via Electron Capture by Coherent Protons

Abstract

I consider coherent vibrational states of the quantum plasmas formed by the conduction electrons and protons inside a metal hydride. Such states can interact coherently through weak interaction to produce neutrons at very low energy. The existence of the vibrational coherent states is supported by a recent theoretical analysis showing that these configurations are characterized by an energy gap of the order of 1 eV per particle compared to the incoherent configurations and are therefore dynamically stable. When excited coherently, these configurations are able to transfer their energy, enabling highly energetic mechanisms. In this paper I show how it is possible to produce neutrons through such a coherent mechanism. The produced neutrons are essentially at rest and remain confined within the metal. The theory developed allows for the theoretical calculation of the production rate of neutrons.