Novel nuclear reactions observed in bremsstrahlung-irradiated deuterated metals
Abstract
d -D nuclear fusion events were observed in an electron-screened, deuterated metal lattice by reacting cold deuterons with hot deuterons (d*) produced by elastically scattered neutrons originating from bremsstrahlung photodissociation (where "d" and "D" denote 2H ). Exposure of deuterated materials (Er D3 and Ti D2 ) to photon energies in the range of 2.5-2.9 MeV resulted in photodissociation neutrons that were below 400 keV and also the 2.45-MeV neutrons consistent with 2H (d ,n )3He fusion. Additionally, neutron energies of approximately 4 and 5 MeV for Ti D2 and Er D3 were measured, consistent with either boosted neutrons from kinetically heated deuterons or Oppenheimer-Phillips stripping reactions in the highly screened environment. Neutron spectroscopy was conducted using calibrated lead-shielded liquid (EJ-309) and plastic (stilbene) scintillator detectors. The data support the theoretical analysis in a companion paper, predicting fusion reactions and subsequent reactions in the highly screened environment.
- Publication:
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Physical Review C
- Pub Date:
- April 2020
- DOI:
- Bibcode:
- 2020PhRvC.101d4610S