One-neutron transfer can surpass nuclear fusion, here’s the proof

Nuclear fusion is one of the most powerful reactions known to mankind. This process produces power for the sun and the stars and generates high amounts of energy. However, carrying out nuclear fusion in the laboratory is quite challenging because it requires extreme temperature and pressure conditions.

A new study presents a more practical alternative to nuclear fusion, showing that removing a neutron can produce similar or higher power than a fusion reaction, especially in low-energy regions near the minimum energy threshold required for a nuclear reaction.

Single-neutron stripping is a reaction in which a neutron is knocked out of a moving nucleus when it hits another nucleus. It is like knocking a ball (neutron) out of a moving box (nucleus) when it hits another box. This leaves one less ball in the moving box.

Compared to nuclear fusion, nuclear fission is much easier to achieve in the laboratory, so these findings open a new and feasible path to achieving our nuclear energy goals.

“By better understanding the behavior of atomic nuclei under these conditions, we can improve our approaches to nuclear energy production and radiotherapy,” said Jesús Lubián, one of the study’s authors and an associate professor at Brazil’s Fluminense Federal University.

Decoding the one-neutron transfer

Single-neutron stripping is a type of single-neutron transfer reaction in which the neutron ejected from the moving nucleus is absorbed by the target nucleus.

For decades, scientists have been trying to understand the mechanism that leads to the transfer of neutrons in weakly bound nuclei. Deciphering this mechanism is important because it can significantly improve our understanding of nuclear physics, including various nuclear reactions.

The authors of the study conducted an interesting experiment for this purpose. They studied the one-neutron stripping process between Li-6 (a lithium isotope) and Bi-209 (an isotope of bismuth). They then compared the result with that of the full fusion reaction with the same isotopes.

They used the GALILEO array (a grammatical ray detector) in combination with the 4π Si-ball EUCLIDES (an advanced laser detector) to study gamma-ray emissions and detect charged particles during reactions.

They also used a special method known as gamma-gamma coincidence to study different gamma rays identified in the one-neutron stripping sample. “The gamma-gamma coincidence was crucial for isolating specific reaction channels and allowed the team to determine the behavior of nuclei under different conditions with high accuracy,” the researchers note.

The results of the neutron transfer between Be and Li surprised the researchers. Here is what they found:

Single-neutron stripping has enormous potential

In the above reaction, the weakly bound Li-6 collides with the much heavier Bi-209. The result of this interaction shows that single-neutron transfer can produce a result similar to that of a fusion reaction.

“The one-neutron stripping process produces results comparable to those of full fusion reactions, especially in energy regimes close to nuclear barriers. Contrary to previous expectations, the results suggest that one-neutron transfer plays a dominant role at lower energies and exceeds the performance of fusion reactions,” the study authors said.

These findings could open up new possibilities for the use of single-neutron transfer in areas such as nuclear energy research.

“The process highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of nuclear reactions and provides a foundation for future scientific breakthroughs in nuclear science and technology,” the study authors added.

The study was published in the journal Nuclear science and technology.