Cluster-impact fusion

Abstract

Deuteron-deuteron fusion, detected via the 3-MeV protons produced, is shown to occur when singly charged clusters of 25 to 1300 ${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$O molecules, accelerated to 200 to 325 keV, impinge on TiD targets. The energy and cluster-size dependence of the fusion rate are discussed. The fusion events are shown to originate from the cluster-ion impacts rather than from ${\mathrm{D}}^{+}$ or ${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}^{+}$ ions in the beam. The observed rates may be correlated with the compressions and high energy densities created in collision spikes by cluster-ion impacts.