Measurement of the Resonant $d\hat{I}¼t$ Molecular Formation Rate in Solid HD

Abstract

Measurements of muon-catalyzed dt fusion ($d\hat{I}¼t{\to }^{4}He+n+\hat{I}{¼}^{-}$) in solid HD have been performed. The theory describing the energy dependent resonant molecular formation rate for the reaction $\hat{I}¼t$ + HD $\to [(d\hat{I}¼t)pee{]}^{\ast }$ is compared to experimental results in a pure solid HD target. Constraints on the rates are inferred through the use of a Monte Carlo model developed specifically for the experiment. From the time-of- flight analysis of fusion events in 16 and 37 $\hat{I}¼g\cdot c{m}^{-2}$ targets, an average formation rate consistent with 0.897$\pm$(0.046)${}_{stat}\pm$ (0.166)${}_{syst}$ times the theoretical prediction was obtained.

4 pages, 5 figures