Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

Upper limits on neutron and γ-ray emission from cold fusion

Abstract

Neutron and γ-ray emission from a variety of electrochemical cells (running continuously for up to two weeks) have been measured using a sensitive detection system with a very low background. Titanium alloy powder deuterided at room temperature and high pressure was also used for comparison. No statistically significant deviation from the background was observed in either γ-ray or neutron detectors. The estimated neutron flux in this experiment is at least a factor of 50 times smaller than that reported by Jones et al. and about one million times smaller than that reported by Fleischmann et al. The results suggest that a significant fraction of the observed neutron events are associated with cosmic rays.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

References

  1. Jones S. E. et al. Nature 338, 737–741 (1989).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Fleischmann, M., Pons, S. & Hawkins, M. J. electroanalyt. Chem. 261, 301–308 (1989); and erratum.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Fiarman, S. & Meyerhof, W. E. Nucl. Phys. A 206, 1–64 (1973).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Koonin, S. E. & Nauenberg, M. Nature 339, 690–691 (1989).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Picker, H. S. Nukleonika 25, 1491–1493 (1980).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Dandapani, B. & Fleischmann, M. J. electroanalyt. Chem. 39, 323 (1972).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Wicke, E. & Brodowsky, H., in Hydrogen in Metals II (eds Alefeld, G. & Völkl, J.) 73 (Springer, Berlin, 1978)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  8. Rugari, S. L. thesis. Yale Univ.

  9. Pai, S., Piel, W. F. Jr, Fossan, D. B. & Maier, M. Nucl. Instrum. Meth. (in the press).

  10. Hanson, A. O. in Fast Neutron Physics (eds Marion J B. & Fowler, J. L.) 3 (Interscience, New York, 1960).

    Google Scholar 

  11. Finckh, E. in Nuclear Spectroscopy and Reactions (ed. Cerny, J.) 573 (Academic Press, New York, 1974).

    Book  Google Scholar 

  12. De Ninno, A. et al. Europhys. Lett. (submitted).

  13. Hess, W. N., Patterson, H. W. & Wallace, R. Phys. Rev. 116, 445–457 (1959).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  14. Carpenter, J. M. Nature 338, 711 (1989).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  15. Hoare, J. P. & Schuldiner, S. J. electrochem. Soc. 102, 485 (1955).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Champagne, A. E., Howard, A. J. & Parker, P. D. Bull. Am. phys. Soc. 26, 564 (1981).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gai, M., Rugari, S., France, R. et al. Upper limits on neutron and γ-ray emission from cold fusion. Nature 340, 29–34 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1038/340029a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/340029a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing