Enhancement of nuclear tunneling through Coulomb-barriers using molecular cages

We present an electrostatic mechanism that gives rise to dramatic enhancements of tunneling through the inter-nuclear Coulomb-barrier. The enhancement is due to an increase in the effective negative electric charge in the mid region between two protons (deutrons) belonging to an H2+(D2+) molecule placed inside a molecular cage, such as a fullerene molecule. This charge increase results in a marked reduction of the outer regions of the Coulomb-barrier, thereby dramatically increasing the nuclear tunneling rates. Coupled with compression of the molecular cage this effect may lead to meaningful enhancements in fusion rates.