Field theory of the d +t→n+α reaction dominated by a 5He* unstable particle

An effective, nonrelativistic quantum field theory for the dt →nα fusion reaction in the low-energy, resonance region is presented. The theory assumes that the reaction is dominated by an intermediate ⁵He^* unstable spin-3/2⁺ resonance. It involves two parameters in the coupling of the dt and nα particles to the unstable resonant state and the resonance energy level—only three real parameters in all. All Coulomb corrections to this process are computed. The resultant field theory is exactly solvable and provides an excellent description of the dt fusion process.