Model-independent determination of doublet and quartet cross sections in /N-->d--> fusion

A model-independent theoretical formalism is outlined to describe Nd fusion in terms of irreducible tensor amplitudes labelled by the initial channel spins s= {1}/{2}, {3}/{2}. A comprehensive form for the initial spin density matrix ρ is given in the channel spin representation, when both the beam and target are polarized. It is then suggested that an incisive study of Nd fusion may be carried out employing a polarized beam on a polarized target, leading to the determination of the differential cross sections for the doublet and quartet states individually.