New lattice-nucleus coupling mechanisms and possible energy production

Two new basic physical mechanisms involving lattice-nuclear coupling have been recently proposed: (1) neutron hopping in crystals (in analogy with electron hopping); and (2) anomalous energy exchange by frequency shifting of highly excited phonon modes (/spl Delta/E=N/sub ph//spl planck//spl delta//spl omega/). Elastic neutron hopping has been predicted to occur in crystals containing nuclei /sup A+1/Z with an outer s-shell valence neutron and parent nuclei /sup A/Z, under conditions where the RMS vibrational motion of these nuclei greatly exceeds the Lindemann rule for melting. Hydrogen and deuterium nuclei in metal hydrides can satisfy this criterion. We propose that neutron hopping to other nuclei can occur under, conditions that the lattice dissipates the energy excess via the anomalous energy transfer mechanism. These effects are of interest for their possible application to the problem of nuclear energy generation.