Nuclear Emissions During Self-Nucleated Acoustic Cavitation
Abstract
A unique, new stand-alone acoustic inertial confinement nuclear fusion test device was successfully tested. Experiments using four different liquid types were conducted in which bubbles were self-nucleated without the use of external neutrons. Four independent detection systems were used (i.e., a neutron track plastic detector to provide unambiguous visible records for fast neutrons, a BF3 detector, a NE-113-type liquid scintillation detector, and a NaI γ ray detector). Statistically significant nuclear emissions were observed for deuterated benzene and acetone mixtures but not for heavy water. The measured neutron energy was ≤2.45MeV, which is indicative of deuterium-deuterium (D-D) fusion. Neutron emission rates were in the range ∼5×103n/s to ∼104n/s and followed the inverse law dependence with distance. Control experiments did not result in statistically significant neutron or γ ray emissions.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review Letters
- Pub Date:
- January 2006
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevLett.96.034301
- Bibcode:
- 2006PhRvL..96c4301T
- Keywords:
-
- 78.60.Mq;
- 25.45.-z;
- 28.20.-v;
- 28.52.-s;
- Sonoluminescence triboluminescence;
- <sup>2</sup>H-induced reactions;
- Neutron physics;
- Fusion reactors