Lepton-Catalyzed Nuclear Fusion: Calibration and Integration of Facilities for Fusion Product Measurements

Muon-catalyzed fusion occurs when a muon replaces an electron in a molecule, which reduces the Bohr radius of one of the atoms, increasing the probability of fusion. Past work shows that muons were ejected after catalyzing p-d fusion, carrying ~5.5 MeV—the Q-value of the reaction. Jones proposed in 1986 that electrons could catalyze such reactions as well. Other work demonstrates this with a proton beam on deuterated graphite, finding ~5.5 MeV electrons, similar to the muons. We investigate this phenomenon with a 4 keV deuteron beam onto a titanium hydride target. We discuss the facilities used to detect fusion products from these reactions and the calibration methods we used.