Enhanced electron screening in d(d, p)t for deuterated metals: a possible classical explanation Original Research Article

The electron screening effect in the d(d, p)t reaction has been studied for several deuterated metals and insulators/semiconductors. As compared to measurements performed with a gaseous D2 target, a large effect has been observed in all metals except in the noble metals Cu, Ag, and Au. In contrast, a comparatively small effect is found for the insulators and semiconductors. An explanation of the large effect in metals is possibly provided by the classical plasma screening of Debye applied to the quasi-free metallic electrons.