Lepton Catalyzed Nuclear Fusion: Modeling Electron Screening in D-D Fusion*

Lepton-catalyzed nuclear fusion has been studied since the mid-20th century. Unlike high-energy processes that overcome the Coulomb barrier with added kinetic energy, lepton-catalyzed fusion increases rates by reducing the barrier through lepton screening. Muons have historically replaced electrons, shrinking orbital radii and increasing fusion probability. Our group studies fusion within metal deuterides and cavities, altering the effective charge radius of electrons yielding higher rates than electron-screening has predicted. My research models these modifications' impact on screening and fusion. The most accurate enhancement models include the Debye model and Density Functional Theory (DFT) approximations. While the Debye model tends to underestimate fusion rates, DFT shows closer agreement with observed trends. Our research group is conducting experiments to validate these models. Although results are preliminary, early data suggest promising alignment with DFT predictions, suggesting engineered environments may play an important role in lepton-catalyzed fusion enhancements.