RESONANCE SIDEPATH IN MUON-CATALYZED FUSION

We have investigated a previously unconsidered sidepath in muon catalyzed fusion. We have found that high formation rates of metastable dt mu* molecules in t mu(2s)-D-2 collisions and their subsequent decay into t mu(1s) or d mu(1s) atoms open a return path for the muon from tritium to deuterium. This process can be considered as muon transfer from t mu(2s) to d mu(1s) via three-body resonances of dt mu*. This enlarges the d mu(1s) population and quenches the muon cycling rate, in agreement with experimental findings.