DEUTERON POLARIZATION OF SOLID DT

Various possible means of attaining a large nuclear polarization of deuterons in solid deuterium tritide (DT) for use as a hydrogen-fusion fuel are considered. It is noted that dynamically polarized nuclear targets have reached only 40% polarization for deuterons despite there being no theoretical limit. In contrast, protons have been polarized to almost 100%. We consider dynamic nuclear polarization using both electrons as the pumping source (EDNP) and nuclei (NDNP). Most polarized targets have worked by EDNP thermal mixing. If protons are present, they bleed off part of the polarization intended for the deuterons. In a pure deuterated material, the smaller deuteron magnetic moment has so far prevented adequate nuclear cooling. The method most likely to work is the EDNP solid-state effect, which requires a narrow ESR spectrum for the atoms in solid DT. Should the tritons be polarized, their polarization can be transferred to the deuterons. Using NDNP thermal mixing, again, only 40% deuteron polarization is obtained. Using the NDNP solid-state effect and many polarization cycles, over 90% is achieved. The calculations offer optimism regarding deuteron polarization as far as the state of present knowledge of the properties of solid DT is concerned. © 1990 The American Physical Society.