Nanonuclear reactions in condensed matter

ENVR 19

Lawrence Forsley, JWK International Corporation, 7617 Little River Turnpike, Suite 1000, Annandale, VA 22003, Frank E. Gordon, Code 71000, SPAWAR System Center Pacific, 53560 Hull St., San Diego, CA 92152, and Pamela A. Mosier-Boss, bossp@spawar.navy.mil, Code D363, SPAWAR Systems Center San Diego, 53560 Hull Street, D363, San Diego, CA 92152-5001.
Since the March, 1989 announcement by Fleischmann and Pons of anomalous heat observed during heavy water electrolysis, there has been considerable controversy as to whether or not the observed nuclear reaction products are commensurate with the thermal measurements. Although heat is one of the reaction products, it is an unsatisfactory probe due to the thermal diffusion time delay between the reaction and its detection. Similarly, many reactions may be exothermic, but excess enthalpy doesn't identify the mechanism. Consequently, we have concentrated upon observing, and when possible, temporally, spatially and spectrally resolving, nuclear reaction products occurring with the Pd:D co-deposition system loaded to near unit stoichiometry. We have monitored cathodes incorporating various witness materials that respond to these nuclear emanations, including neutron-induced reactions. SEM microphotographs have shown a range of structures, from larger than 10 microns to smaller than 1 micron. The structure's size relates to the nuclear channels activated.