Measurement of the Resonant $dμt$ Molecular Formation Rate in Solid HD

Abstract

Measurements of muon-catalyzed dt fusion ($dμt \to ^4He+n+μ^-$) in solid HD have been performed. The theory describing the energy dependent resonant molecular formation rate for the reaction $μt$ + HD $\to [(dμt)pee]^*$ 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 $μg\cdot cm^{-2}$ targets, an average formation rate consistent with 0.897$\pm$(0.046)$_{stat}\pm$ (0.166)$_{syst}$ times the theoretical prediction was obtained.