Interactive muon catalyzed and inertial confinement fusion

Energetic viability calculations of nuclear fusion energy systems based on two distinct approaches to a symbiotic combination of Muon Catalyzed Fusion ({dollar}mu{dollar}CF) and Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) have been performed. The first approach involves a deuterium-tritium ICF pellet ignited by muon catalyzed fusion heating; the second approach is based on the energy generated by {dollar}mu{dollar}CF reactions in deuterium-tritium compressed to high density.; Viability evaluations rely upon modelling of identified critical energy gain parameters for energy systems based upon each of the {dollar}mu{dollar}CF-ICF approaches. Analysis leading to viability evaluation consists of outlining the general technological requirements of an interactive {dollar}mu{dollar}CF-ICF system and developing muon catalyzed reaction models in conditions found in high density compressions.; An energy system based on {dollar}mu{dollar}CF in compressed deuterium-tritium was found to be non-viable due primarily to the sharp decrease in the muon induced fusion rate for temperatures greater than 40 eV. The viability of a fusion energy system based on the {dollar}mu{dollar}CF triggered spark ignition is favourable provided that technology can be developed which allows for the deposition of sufficient quantities of muons into a very small volume within a very short duration.