muon-catalyzed fusion

Muon-catalyzed fusion is a method of achieving nuclear fusion by using muons, which are negatively charged subatomic particles heavier than electrons. In this process, muons replace electrons in deuterium and tritium atoms, forming muonic molecules. These molecules allow the deuterium and tritium nuclei to approach each other closely enough to fuse at much lower temperatures than required in traditional fusion methods.1

The muon acts as a catalyst, facilitating the fusion reaction and then being released to initiate another cycle. However, muons are unstable and decay quickly, meaning a significant number of fusion reactions must occur before the muon decays for the process to be energy-positive. Generating muons also requires substantial energy, making practical energy production through muon-catalyzed fusion a complex challenge.1