I have been trying to make sense of the heavy elements found on the surface of the fuel particle in the Lugano fuel analysis.
Eric Walkers contribution and analisys is here
This is my take on the purpose of those heavy elements as follows:
The elements that cover the surface of the Lugano fuel particle look to span the Rare Earth elements range in the periodic table. These rare earth elements have potential optoelectronic applications due to their performance of photoluminescence and electroluminescence. These rare earth elements may increase the optical pumping process during the formation of Surface Plasmon Polaritons (SPP).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photoluminescence
Photoluminescence (abbreviated as PL) is light emission from any form of matter after the absorption of photons(electromagnetic radiation). It is one of many forms of luminescence (light emission) and is initiated by photoexcitation(excitation by photons), hence the prefix photo-. Following excitation various relaxation processes typically occur in which other photons are re-radiated. Time periods between absorption and emission may vary: ranging from short femtosecond-regime for emission involving free-carrier plasma in inorganic semiconductors up to milliseconds for phosphorescent processes in molecular systems; and under special circumstances delay of emission may even span to minutes or hours.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroluminescence
Electroluminescence (EL) is an optical phenomenon and electrical phenomenonin which a material emits light in response to the passage of an electric current or to a strong electric field.
The roles of these elements may be to stimulate optical gain in the SPP radiation process as a way to compensate for the losses incurred in the formation of SPPs encounterd due to dispersion.
