Trends in cluster impact fusion

A brief introduction of latest development of cluster impact fusion (CIF) was presented. Beuhler, Friedler and Friedman from BNL reported to have observed (d,d) fusion when deuterated solid target of TiD, (C2D)π or ZrD1.65 were bombarded by (D2O)π+ cluster with n values between 20 and 1000, accelerated to energies of 220 ∼ 325 keV. The observed fusion rates correspond to cross sections some 25 orders of magnitude larger than the theoretical estimation. A group in Stanfold Research Institute experimentally gave a confirmation on the credibility of CIF with different apparatus. In addition, the experiment results were explained theoretically by EMR model and shock-wave mechanism, respectively. However, Fallavier from Lyon reported that they observed no (d,d) fusion evidence under the conditions of 100 keV (D)200+ → TiD or >10 keV/u (CD4)145+ → (C2D4)π. It is expecting that the CIF will be strongly confirmed by experimental results and theoretical explanation with more accurate facilities in the near future