Quantum Tunneling Makes Stellar Fusion Possible
1929Atkinson & Houtermans, "Zur Frage der Aufbaumoeglichkeit der Elemente in Sternen" (Zeitschrift fuer Physik 54, 656-665, September 1929; DOI 10.1007/BF01341595). Applied Gamow's quantum-tunneling picture of the nucleus to charged-particle reactions at stellar temperatures, showing that light nuclei could fuse in a star's core at temperatures far below the classical Coulomb-barrier energy. The first calculation connecting quantum mechanics to fusion as a stellar energy source. Predates the fission chain and the 1932 neutron; it is the earliest strand of the fusion branch.
Originators
- Robert d'Escourt Atkinson
- Fritz Houtermans
Landmark Paper
Checked 2026-10-18 — interim signal only, see docs/BASIC_ROADMAP.md Phase 10
Connections
- is precursor to Proton-Proton Fusion Chain in Starsbasis: reasoned
Bethe and Critchfield's rate calculation for proton-proton fusion in a star rests on the barrier-penetration picture Atkinson and Houtermans first applied to stellar temperatures; same problem (nuclear reactions at stellar energies), earlier method.
Cross-Domain Connections
No verified cross-domain connections indexed for Quantum Tunneling Makes Stellar Fusion Possible yet. Verified links are admitted under FSTP epistemic audit standards.