Potential Role of Energy Band Theory in Finite Solids and in Resonant Phenomena Involving Metal-Induced Fusion and the Fleischmann-Pons Effect

Considerable confusion occurred from a speculative conjecture that Talbot Chubb and I suggested in 1989, concerning the potential role of conventional energy band theory in the ``cold fusion'' claims, suggested by Fleischmann and Pons.\footnote{David Lindley, Nature 344, 375 (1990).}. Two important reasons for this are related to: 1. Misconceptions, about what was taking place in the experiments, and 2. Limitations of conventional energy band theory. In particular, Talbot Chubb and I proposed the idea that deuterium nuclei (deuterons) could occupy energy band states or have overlap with these kinds of states with ``unforeseen'' consequences, including, the possibility of nuclear fusion. Conventional energy band theory has limitations, associated with the underlying quantum mechanics. Talbot Chubb and I have investigated an important problem, relating to extending conventional energy band theory, as it applies to infinitely-repeating ordered crystals, to finite crystal lattices, where energy band theory can be re-expressed more precisely through resonant or nearly-resonant effects and the ``conventional'' Coulomb Barrier problem of fusion can be replaced by a considerably richer problem.