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There is, however, no fundamental law that says that this high temperature approach is the only way to get the deuterium nuclei close enough to react, or that the only possible fusion reaction is between only two nuclei. Other approaches have been posited. For example, if the [[electrons]] of deuterium [[atoms]] could be persuaded to orbit much closer to the nucleus then the atom would have an overall neutral charge until it was in much closer proximity to another atom (i.e. until the nuclei were within the orbit of the electrons).

There is, however, no fundamental law that says that this high temperature approach is the only way to get the deuterium nuclei close enough to react, or that the only possible fusion reaction is between only two nuclei. Other approaches have been posited. For example, if the [[electrons]] of deuterium [[atoms]] could be persuaded to orbit much closer to the nucleus then the atom would have an overall neutral charge until it was in much closer proximity to another atom (i.e. until the nuclei were within the orbit of the electrons).

Quantum Theory tells us that this would be impossible with electrons, but it seems theoretically possible that deuterium atoms could be produced where the nucleus is orbited by a [[muon]] instead of an electron. Since a muon is 207 times heavier than an electron it would orbit 207 time closer. Thus there would be a much lower amount of energy needed to get the nuclei to collide, and thus a much lower temperature. <ref>http://www.rikenresearch.riken.jp/eng/frontline/5976</ref>

Quantum Theory indicates that this would be impossible with electrons, but it is known to occur with a [[muon]] instead of an electron. Since a muon is 207 times heavier than an electron it orbits 207 times closer. <ref>http://www.rikenresearch.riken.jp/eng/frontline/5976</ref>

However, this Muon-catalyzed fusion has never been practically achieved, and neither have various other attempts to coax the nuclei closer together.

However, Muon-catalyzed fusion requires the production of muons, which requires substantial energy, and while one muon may catalyze more than one fusion reaction, eventually the muons are captured by other nuclei, such as helium, and the muon cannot then cause more fusions. It is real, but far from practical for energy production, as far as any approach known.

= Practice =

= Practice =