Theoretical analysis reveals coherent proton oscillation states in hydrogen-loaded cubic metals, suggesting a potential mechanism for low-energy electron capture and neutron generation.
Key Points
To examine the conditions under which protons form robust coherent oscillation states in hydrogen-loaded cubic metals and determine whether their excitation can enable electron capture.
Carried out analytical calculations of large proton ensembles within a cubic crystal lattice using the rotating-wave approximation.
Performed numerical simulations for small proton numbers beyond the rotating-wave approximation to incorporate electric-field dissipation terms.
Applied a simplified interacting-qubit model to evaluate collective excitation energies.
Identified proton coherent states oscillating at characteristic frequencies of 10¹³–10¹⁴ Hz phase-locked with trapped high-frequency electric fields.
Estimated the coherent ground state energy gap at a fraction of an electronvolt per particle, demonstrating stability against thermal fluctuations.
Demonstrated collective transition energies exceeding single-oscillator spacing in an interacting-qubit framework, offering an alternative mechanism for slow neutron generation via electron capture.