9.2 Nuclear Fusion Resonance

Abstract

This article derives the geometric resonance condition for nuclear fusion from the many-body cross section theorem (Theorem 3.7.3.01). The resonance enhancement of fusion reactions is determined by local minima of the Jacobian spectral radius of — homologous to the nuclear magic number structure. When the product nucleus lies at or near a magic number, the Coulomb barrier is geometrically lowered and the fusion cross section is enhanced. The DT reaction possesses the highest fusion cross section because its product ⁴He is a doubly magic nucleus.