Novel nuclear reactions observed in bremsstrahlung-irradiated deuterated metals
Bruce M. Steinetz, Theresa Benyo, Arnon Chait, Robert C. Hendricks, Lawrence P. Forsley, B. Baramsai, Philip B. Ugorowski, Michael D. Becks, Vladimir Pines, Marianna Pines, Richard E. Martin, Nicholas Penney, Gustave C. Fralick, Carl E. Sandifer
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 $^{2}\mathrm{H}$). Exposure of deuterated materials ($\mathrm{Er}{\mathrm{D}}_{3}$ and $\mathrm{Ti}{\mathrm{D}}_{2}$) 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 $^{2}\mathrm{H}(d,\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}n)^{3}\mathrm{He}$ fusion. Additionally, neutron energies of approximately 4 and 5 MeV for $\mathrm{Ti}{\mathrm{D}}_{2}$ and $\mathrm{Er}{\mathrm{D}}_{3}$ 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.