The ptμ cycle in muon catalyzed fusion

Abstract

A detailed theoretical description of the ptμ muon catalyzed fusion cycle in H/D/T mixtures at low deuterium and tritium concentrations is presented. The experimental data on the γ-ray time spectra from the reaction p+t » γ+4He in the mesic molecule ptμ obtained by the μCF collaboration at SIN/PSI have been analyzed. The radiative pt fusion rate in the ptμ mesic molecule is found to be λγ=0.067 ± 0.002 −0.002 +0.005 μs−1. This corresponds to a reaction constant for the pt radiative capture ofK 0=1.0 × 10−22 cm3 s−1.