"internal helium leak" may suggest Li-6 + Li-6 fusion!
Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2016 2:07 pm
Scientists in my country have measured the weight of the Li-7 nucleus and at the same time took a stab at Li-6, see paper A new mass value for 7Li, which can be downloaded for free. During the Li-6 measurements they were pestered by an "uncontrollable internal helium leak" in the equipment. I suggest that this is due to Li-6 + Li-6 fusion reactions instead of a leak. Look at the table below of Li-6 fusion reactions; half of them produce alpha-particles!
In the CRYSIS ion source (an EBIS) Li+ ions are bombarded by electrons until there is a population of Li3+ ions. Then an electric field is applied for a short time and the ions leave the CRYSIS and are weighed in a Penning ion trap. The elecric field I mention is important; it does the trick of fusion, I think. How? Probably by the same mechanism that it induces fusion in a deuterium ion source. It is quite well known, that if you build an ion source for deuterons, you must be very careful about the neutron and gamma radiation that is produced by the fusion reactions in the source.
I think like this: bare light nuclei + applied electric field (1-100 kV) = nuclear fusion
Unknowingly you Fusor people may have experience of this; you build Fusors and then attach an ion source and discover that it boosts fusion. The extra fusion may actually occur only in, or slightly 'after' the ion source itself.
OK; to be sure; there are helium leaks in vacuum equipment and my imagination may carry me too far on this. So what is your opinion?
Sven
In the CRYSIS ion source (an EBIS) Li+ ions are bombarded by electrons until there is a population of Li3+ ions. Then an electric field is applied for a short time and the ions leave the CRYSIS and are weighed in a Penning ion trap. The elecric field I mention is important; it does the trick of fusion, I think. How? Probably by the same mechanism that it induces fusion in a deuterium ion source. It is quite well known, that if you build an ion source for deuterons, you must be very careful about the neutron and gamma radiation that is produced by the fusion reactions in the source.
I think like this: bare light nuclei + applied electric field (1-100 kV) = nuclear fusion
Unknowingly you Fusor people may have experience of this; you build Fusors and then attach an ion source and discover that it boosts fusion. The extra fusion may actually occur only in, or slightly 'after' the ion source itself.
OK; to be sure; there are helium leaks in vacuum equipment and my imagination may carry me too far on this. So what is your opinion?
Sven