New parametrization for the 3He(d, p) 4He fusion reaction rate and refinement of the Lawson criterion for d-3He thermonuclear reactors

Abstract

Abstract We present a new parametrization of the d + 3He → p + 4He fusion reaction astrophysical factor based on the effective range approximation, which is an effective theoretical method for describing near-threshold, including resonance, nuclear reactions. In the framework of this approximation we describe experimental data on the energy dependence of the cross section and the astrophysical factor within the experimental uncertainties in the energy range of 0-800 keV. On this basis we calculate the temperature dependence of the Maxwellian-averaged reaction rate in the range of 0-400 keV. In conclusion, we discuss the effect of the calculated reaction rates on the Lawson criterion for thermonuclear reactors based on d-3He fuel.