Muon catalysis for energy production by nuclear fusion

Abstract

In 1957 Jackson1 considered the possibility of using muon-catalysed dt (deuterium–tritium)-fusion for energy production. His conclusion was negative. However, the situation has now changed and this problem should be reconsidered. The suggestion that muons would be suitable as catalysts of dt fusion was first made by A. D. Sakharov and Ya. B. Zeldovich (see ref. 2). It is shown here that the use of the muon catalysed dt fusion combined with the fissile nuclides blanket can provide a positive energy gain.