Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Enhancement in thermonuclear reaction rates in a dense plasma

Abstract

FOR laser-driven fusion, a number density of the order 1026 cm−3 is usually envisaged1,2; here I consider the effects of the presence of a medium on the nuclear reaction rates3 and show the feasibility of enhanced fusion rates when a certain condition is met. The results are applicable both to controlled thermonuclear reactions and to astrophysical conditions.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Nuckolls, J., Wood, L., Thiessen, A., and Zimmerman, G., Nature, 239, 139–142 (1972).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Clarke, J. S., Fisher, H. N., and Mason, R. J., Phys. Rev. Lett., 30, 89–92 (1973).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Artsimovich, L. A., Controlled Thermonuclear Reactions, 405 (Gordon and Breach, New York, 1964).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Sitenko, A. G., Electromagnetic Fluctuations in Plasma, 256 (Academic Press, New York, 1967).

    Book  Google Scholar 

  5. Cox, J. P., and Giuli, R. T., Principles of Stellar Structure, 1, 568 (Gordon and Breach, New York, 1968).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

LEE, H. Enhancement in thermonuclear reaction rates in a dense plasma. Nature 253, 259–260 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/253259a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/253259a0

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing