In the heart of stars, where temperatures soar and densities are mind-bogglingly high, nuclear fusion reactions occur at energies so low that they defy conventional understanding. This is the realm that Mohammad N., a physicist from Raiganj University, is exploring with a fresh perspective that could have significant implications for the energy sector.
Nuclear fusion, the process that powers the Sun and stars, involves the merging of atomic nuclei to form heavier elements. This process releases an enormous amount of energy, which is what makes it so appealing for future energy production here on Earth. However, replicating this process in a controlled manner on Earth has proven to be a monumental challenge. One of the key hurdles is understanding how these reactions occur at extremely low energies, far below the mutual Coulomb barrier—the electrostatic repulsion that normally prevents nuclei from getting close enough to fuse.
Mohammad N. and his team are tackling this challenge head-on. Their recent study, published in the EPJ Web of Conferences, focuses on the variation of the astrophysical S-factor and the thermonuclear fusion reaction rate with energy for certain alpha-particle (helium-4 nucleus) trapped interactions. “The mechanism of nuclear fusion reactions can be successfully described by quantum mechanical tunneling through the effective mutual Coulomb barrier of interacting nuclei,” Mohammad N. explains. This tunneling effect allows nuclei to fuse even when they don’t have enough energy to overcome the Coulomb barrier, a phenomenon crucial for understanding nuclear reactions in stars and potentially harnessing fusion power on Earth.
The researchers used a selective resonant tunneling model (SRTM) technique, following the approach of Khan et al., but with a twist. They introduced a double-folding potential model, an improvement over their previous work, to better simulate the complex interactions within the plasma environment of high-density stars. “Our computed data agrees fairly with the experimentally observed data,” Mohammad N. notes, highlighting the robustness of their model.
So, what does this mean for the energy sector? Understanding these low-energy nuclear reactions could pave the way for more efficient and controllable fusion reactions on Earth. Fusion power, if successfully harnessed, could provide a nearly limitless source of clean energy, reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and mitigating climate change.
Moreover, this research could have broader implications for nuclear astrophysics, helping scientists better understand the processes that occur in the cores of stars and during the Big Bang nucleosynthesis. This, in turn, could lead to advancements in nuclear medicine, materials science, and even space exploration.
The work by Mohammad N. and his team is a significant step forward in unraveling the mysteries of nuclear fusion. As they continue to refine their models and gather more data, the potential applications of their research could revolutionize the energy landscape. The journey from the stars to our power grids is long, but with each breakthrough, we inch closer to a future powered by the same forces that light up the night sky.