Muon-catalyzed fusion: an energy production perspective

摘要: The nuclear fission reaction can be catalyzed in a suitable fusion fuel by muons, which temporarily form very tightly bound mu-molecules. Muons produced the decay of negative pions, which, turn, have been an accelerated beam light ions impinging on target. Muon-catalyzed is appropriately called cold because also occurs at room temperature. For practical energy generation, it appears to necessary mixture deuterium and tritium about liquid density temperature order 1000 K. current status muon-catalyzed limited demonstrations scientific breakeven showing that possible sustain balance between muon production fusion. Conceptually, reactor seen amplifier increases reactions invested pion-muon beams. physical quantity determines this X{sub {mu}}, number each catalyze before lost. Showing feasibility useful power equivalent {mu}} exceed sufficiently large number, estimated bemore » {approx}10{sup 4} if standard technology used or 3} more advanced physics developed. Since with for expenditure {approx}5000 MeV 17.6 per event, follows {approx} 250 would significant demonstration breakeven. Therefore, cost producing muons must reduced substantially reactors could seriously considered. summarized discussed. Muon catalysis surveyed following systems: proton-deuteron, deuteron-deuteron, deuteron-triton, non-hydrogen elements. 95 refs., 6 figs., 4 tabs.« less