Preliminary investigation of possible low-temperature fusion

Abstract

Preliminary tests have been made with electrolytic cells utilizing 0.2N LiOD in D₂O as the electrolyte and a palladium cathode surrounded by a wire-wound platinum anode operating at cathode current densities of 100–400 mA/cm². The cathodes were swaged to diameters of 2.8 or 5.5 mm with 8.5 cm of active length. The electrolyte temperature was controlled, heat was removed by flowing water in a cooling jacket, and the cell was insulated. Cooling water and electrolyte temperatures were measured by thermocouples, and neutron and gamma-ray spectra were recorded. The electrolyte level was periodically monitored and replenished with D₂O. Tests up to 2 weeks in duration were made with no sustained release of energy in excess of the electrical power input, although there was one period of 12 h when an unaccountable heat excess was observed. In another test, an anomalous neutron flux was measured during the first few hours that was 3.5 standard deviations above the background.