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From: dietz@cs.rochester.edu (Paul Dietz)
Newsgroups: sci.physics,sci.chem,sci.research,sci.space
Subject: Re: Reactions described in the Pons seminar summary
Message-ID: <1989Apr3.152949.23607@cs.rochester.edu>
Date: 3 Apr 89 19:29:49 GMT
References: <1495@wasatch.UUCP> <3604@silver.bacs.indiana.edu> <24015@beta.lanl.gov>
Reply-To: dietz@cs.rochester.edu (Paul Dietz)
Organization: U of Rochester, CS Dept, Rochester, NY
Lines: 34

In article <24015@beta.lanl.gov> mwj@beta.lanl.gov (William Johnson) writes:

>However, I would like to point out that the most mystifying thing about the
>Fleischmann-Pons experiment -- and many things about it are mystifying -- is
>that *none* of the nuclear physics makes sense.  I say this not implying that
>F&P don't know what they are talking about, but rather that many things about
>the experiment -- notably the enormous dearth of neutrons observed relative to
>the energy allegedly released -- fly in the face of what we *think* we know
>about (d,d) reactions.

Everyone has been assuming that the neutrons are coming from catalyzed
dd reactions.  If, instead, some exotic fusion reaction was occuring
-- say, Li6 + d -- we'd expect some neutrons anyway.  First, a fast
charged fusion product would occasionally break up a deuteron before
stopping.  Second, deuterons would occasionally be scattered and fuse
with another deuteron.

Some proposed experiments:

(1) Measure the ratio of neutron rate/power density as the density
   of d atoms increases.  It should increase if this model is true.

(2) Measure the neutron spectrum -- it should differ considerably from
   that of cold dd fusion.

(3) Try to detect energetic fusion product nuclei by mixing the Pd
   with beryllium and observing the neutron flux.

(4) Try to observe fusion products directly by using a low energy deuterium
   ion beam to saturate a very thin target of Pd.  Turn off the beam
   and observe any charged particles emitted.

	Paul F. Dietz
	dietz@cs.rochester.edu