Nuclear clustering and the electron screening puzzle

TL;DR

This paper investigates the discrepancy between theoretical models and experimental measurements of electron screening effects in nuclear reactions, proposing nuclear clusterization and polarization as potential explanations for the puzzle.

Contribution

It introduces the hypothesis that nuclear clusterization and polarization effects may resolve the electron screening puzzle in astrophysical and laboratory nuclear reactions.

Findings

Theoretical models fail to explain high experimental screening potentials.

Nuclear clusterization and polarization are proposed as possible explanations.

Supporting arguments for the clusterization hypothesis are discussed.

Abstract

Electron screening changes appreciably the magnitude of astrophysical nuclear reactions within stars. This effect is also observed in laboratory experiments on Earth, where atomic electrons are present in the nuclear targets. Theoretical models were developed over the past 30 years and experimental measurements have been carried out to study electron screening in thermonuclear reactions. None of the theoretical models were able to explain the high values of the experimentally determined screening potentials. We explore the possibility that the "electron screening puzzle" is due to nuclear clusterization and polarization effects in the fusion reactions. We will discuss the supporting arguments for this scenario.