Muon catalysed fusion for pellet ignition

A new method is described for achieving controlled thermonuclear fusion which appears to give a better overall energy output over input ratio than for laser driven fusion. The idea is to use muon catalysed fusion reactions, which can take place at a temperature lower than that required for ordinary fusion reactions, to provide the energy needed for the ignition of ordinary fusion reactions in an inertially confined deuterium-tritium pellet. The pellet is first compressed to approximately 103 times solid density and preheated to approximately 103 eV by a relatively low power laser or electron beam acting as a prepulse. This is to enhance both the catalytic and ordinary fusion reaction rates. Simultaneously, or a short time beforehand, a pulse of muons (probably > 1010 in < 1 ns) is injected into the pellet. The muon energy distribution is selected so that most of the muons are deposited in the core of the pellet. The stopping distance and the moderation time can be obtained as a function of the muon incident energy. For example 1-MeV muons will be stopped in 10-3 cm in 10-11s. (author)