Meson-catalyzed fusion in ultradense plasmas

Abstract

We first argue that negative muons in the MeV energy range can be fully stopped in warm-dense-matter and fast ignition scenario ultradense plasmas on a picosecond time scale by taking into account the slowing down of partially degenerate electrons and charged hydrogen isotope ions taken as classical. Atomic and molecular recombinations within these plasmas on the lowest available exoatom bound states are then demonstrated. The very existence of in situ produced exoatoms can be proved with x-ray line Stark broadening. Finally, a former conjecture about the negligibility of meson sticking on fusion-produced particles is reinforced. Mesonic catalysis of deuterium-tritium fusion reactions is then shown to be possible in short-lived plasma targets with rates that are orders of magnitude above cold deuterium reactions. The dipole exoatom orientations clearly favor the cold and long-lived warm-dense-matter option.