Cold fusion catalyzed by muons and electrons

Technical Report · Mon Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6507612· OSTI ID:6507612

Kulsrud, R M

Two alternative methods have been suggested to produce fusion power at low temperature. The first, muon catalyzed fusion or MCF, uses muons to spontaneously catalyze fusion through the muon mesomolecule formation. Unfortunately, this method fails to generate enough fusion energy to supply the muons, by a factor of about ten. The physics of MCF is discussed, and a possible approach to increasing the number of MCF fusions generated by each muon is mentioned. The second method, which has become known as Cold Fusion,'' involves catalysis by electrons in electrolytic cells. The physics of this process, if it exists, is more mysterious than MCF. However, it now appears to be an artifact, the claims for its reality resting largely on experimental errors occurring in rather delicate experiments. However, a very low level of such fusion claimed by Jones may be real. Experiments in cold fusion will also be discussed.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/ER
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH03073
• OSTI ID: 6507612
• Report Number(s): PPPL-2681; ON: DE91000487
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640303 -- Atomic
Molecular & Chemical Physics-- Positronium
Muonium
& Muonic & Mesic Atoms & Molecules
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700205* -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Fuel
Heating
& Injection Systems
74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
ELECTROLYSIS
EVALUATION
LYSIS
MUON-CATALYZED FUSION
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
NUCLEOSYNTHESIS
SYNTHESIS
THERMONUCLEAR REACTIONS