Tau-Catalyzed Fusion: Theoretical Predictions and Experimental Comparisons

[Rade]

It is known from both theory and experiment that muon-catalyzed fusion of light isotopes occurs--see this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muon-catalyzed_fusion. But my question--is Tau-Catalyzed Fusion also predicted by theory, let us say between the proton nucleus [P] and deuteron nucleus[NP]? Experiment shows that energy released from muon-catalyzed fusion of [P]+[NP] yields [helium-3] + gamma ray + ~5.5 MeV energy (Alvarez et al. Phy. Rev. 105, 1127 (1956)). Would tau-catalyzed fusion yield same energy result ? Thanks for any help.

 

[Meir Achuz]

The energy release from Tau catalyzed fusion would be the same as in mu catalyzed fusion because the energy release depends on the hadrons.
The tau being heavier than the muon would be a more effective catalyst EXCEPT that the tau is so short lived (3X10^{-13} seconds) that most taus would decay before they could be captured to catalyze. The mu can live to catalyze because it has an anomalously long lifetime.

 

[sir-pinski]

Thank you for your question. Tau-catalyzed fusion has been theorized and studied in the past, but there is currently no experimental evidence to support its occurrence. Theoretical predictions suggest that it is possible, but the energy released and the products formed may differ from those of muon-catalyzed fusion. Further experimentation and research is needed in order to fully understand the potential for tau-catalyzed fusion and its potential applications. Thank you for your interest in this fascinating topic.