R-matrix methods for studying nuclear effects in μCF

Properties ofR-matrix theory that are useful for studying muon-catalyzed fusion reactions are reviewed, and applications to the dt system are discussed, using both improved adiabatic and non-adiabatic (variational) wave functions. We give complex eigenvalues and - sticking fractions for the (L, v)=(0,0) and (0, 1) states of dt using variational Hamiltonian matrix elements that have been properly symmetrized by means of the Block operator. Expressions for the fusion rate and - sticking fraction are developed from a time-dependent theory that uses the complex-energy states corresponding to the poles of the systemS-matrix. These are shown to reduce with the appropriate approximations to the expressions and values commonly used. Additional nuclear effects on these quantities can easily be studied within the framework developed, but they are not expected to be large.