Nuclear fusion in muonic molecules and in deuterated metals

TL;DR

This paper investigates nuclear fusion in muonic molecules and deuterated metals, highlighting the effects of electron screening on fusion reactions and presenting experimental and theoretical insights into these processes.

Contribution

It provides the first accurate account of nucleus charge screening by muons in fusion and explores electron screening effects in metals using experimental data and classical Debye screening theory.

Findings

Muon-induced charge screening significantly affects fusion rates.

Large screening potentials observed in certain metals.

Experimental cross sections extended to very low energies.

Abstract

Study of the fusion reactions between hydrogen isotopes in muonic molecules is the first example of the accurate accounting of the nucleus charge screening by a muon in the fusion process. At LUNA installation the measurements of astrophysical reaction cross sections were extended down to collision energies of a few keV. The screening by atomic electrons of the target became substantial. The possibility to look over screening from unbound electrons is given by metal-hydrides used as targets in dd reaction measurements. The classical Debye screening in plasma, applied to quasi-free electrons in metal, provides an explanation of unexpectedly large screening potentials found for some metals in the research through the Periodic table of elements.