Abstract
A rough estimate is made of the rate of fusion of the nuclei in a deuterium molecule at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. As the density of the collection of molecules is increased, the fusion rate will likewise increase, in a manner given by an easily derived semi-classical equation. With sufficient experimental data, perhaps obtained through use of a diamond-anvil high-pressure cell, density-dependent expressions for the internuclear potentials of isotopic molecular hydrogen can be constructed and values for the corresponding fusion rates calculated.