Measurements of muon catalyzed dt fusion in solid HD

• Main Author: Porcelli, Tracy Ann
• Other Authors: Beer, George A.
• Format: Others
• Language: English; en
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: Muons; Particles (Nuclear physics)
• Online Access: https://dspace.library.uvic.ca//handle/1828/8797

The first measurement of muon catalyzed dt fusion (dtμ→⁴He+n+μ⁻) in solid HD at ~ 3 K has been performed. The theory describing the formation of the [(dtμ)pee] muonic molecule from the resonant reaction tμ+HD → [(dtμ)pee], a key process in the dt fusion cycle, can now be tested against the experimental results. Using an experimental technique which employs solid layers of hydrogen isotopes, the energy of molecular formation is determined via time of flight, and dt fusion time spectra in solid HD have been measured. The theory describing the resonant formation of the dtμ muonic molecule is compared to the experimental results through Monte Carlo simulations. The energy dependent molecular formation rates calculated for HD at 3 K have been employed in the Monte Carlo with the resultant simulated fusion time spectra in fair agreement with the experimental results. === Graduate