kollisionssammansmältning

Kollisionssammansmältning, also known as collision-induced fusion or impact fusion, refers to a theoretical process where two or more atomic nuclei fuse together as a direct result of their collision. This is distinct from other fusion mechanisms like those occurring in stars or fusion reactors, which often rely on high temperatures and pressures to overcome the electrostatic repulsion between nuclei. In collision-induced fusion, the kinetic energy of the colliding particles is hypothesized to be sufficient to force them close enough for the strong nuclear force to take over and bind them together, releasing energy in the process.

The primary challenge for collision-induced fusion is overcoming the Coulomb barrier, the electrostatic repulsion between positively charged nuclei. For fusion to occur, the nuclei must approach each other so closely that the short-range strong nuclear force can bind them. This requires extremely high kinetic energies, far beyond what is typically achievable in laboratory settings without the aid of other mechanisms like high temperatures. While theoretical models suggest that concentrated energy deposition from a collision could, in principle, facilitate fusion, practical demonstration has remained elusive.

Research into collision-induced fusion has explored various scenarios, including the impact of high-energy ions or clusters. The potential applications, if realized, could include novel energy generation methods or the creation of specific isotopes. However, the energy input required to induce such fusion is currently much greater than the energy output, making it an inefficient process from an energy production standpoint. The concept remains an area of ongoing theoretical investigation rather than a proven experimental phenomenon.