A. S. Rusetskii

DD reaction enhancement and X-ray generation in a high-current pulsed glow discharge in deuterium with titanium cathode at 0.8–2.45 kV

The DD reaction yield (3-MeV protons) and the soft X-ray emission from a titanium (Ti) cathode surface in a periodic pulsed glow discharge in deuterium were studied at a discharge voltage of 0.8–2.45 kV and a discharge current density of 300–600 mA/cm2. The electron screening potential Ue = 610 ± 150 eV was estimated in the range of deuteron energies 0.8 keV < Ed < 2.45 keV from an analysis of the DD reaction yield as a function of the accelerating voltage. The obtained data show evidence for a significant enhancement of the DD reaction yield in Ti in comparison to both theoretical estimates (based on the extrapolation of the known DD reaction cross section for Ed ≥ 5 keV to low deuteron energies in the Bosch-Halle approximation) and the results of experiments using accelerators at the deuteron energies Elab ≥ 2.5 keV and current densities 50–500 μ A/cm2. Intense emission of soft X-ray quanta (1013–1014 s−1 cm−2) was observed at an average energy of 1.2–1.5 keV. The X-ray emission intensity and the DD reaction yield enhancement strongly depend on the rate of deuterium diffusion in a thin subsurface layer of Ti cathode.

Enhancement of DD-Reaction yields from the Pd/PdO:Dx heterostructure by N+ and Ne+ ion beams using the GELIS setup

The results on DD-reaction yield enhancement from the Pd/PdO:Dx heterostructure by N+ and Ne+ ion beams in the energy range of 10–25 keV are presented. Neutron and proton fluxes were measured using a neutron detector based on He-3 counters and a CR-39 plastic track detector. Measurements showed significant DD-reaction yield enhancement effects. The screening potential for this heterostructure under these experimental conditions was determined as Ue = 897 eV.

Study of DD-reaction yields from the Ti/TiO2:Dx heterostructure at low energies using the GELIS setup

The results of measurements of the DD-reaction yields from the Ti/TiO2:Dx heterostructure in the energy range of 10–25 keV are presented. Neutron and proton fluxes were measured using a neutron detector based on He-3 counters and a CR-39 plastic track detector. A comparison with calculations showed the existence of significant effects of DD-reaction yield amplification. The screening potential for this heterostructure under these experimental conditions was estimated to be in the range Ue = 160–750 eV.

Nuclear reactions in the Pd/PdO:Dx and Ti/TiO2:Dx systems excited by ionizing radiation

The yield of the products of nuclear reactions from deuterated palladium and titanium irradiated by an electron beam and X rays has been studied. Charged particles have been detected by CR-39 track detectors, which are not sensitive to electronic noise, electrons, and X-ray photons. To identify the type of particles and to estimate their energy, three detectors covered by aluminum and copper foils of various thicknesses have been used. It has been established with reliable statistics that 30-keV electrons and X rays initiate the synthesis of deuterons in the Pd/PdO:Dx and Ti/TiO2:Dx systems with the yield of 3-MeV protons.

Calibration measurements of the characteristics of tracks from superheavy nuclei in olivine crystals from meteorites

To identify the charge of detected cosmic ray nuclei, it is necessary that the dynamic and geometric parameters of tracks (the etching rate of a nuclear track, as well as the length and the diameter of the track channel) be determined with a high accuracy. Results of the experimental investigations of tracks produced in olivine crystals from the Marjalahti pallasite by accelerated Xe and U nuclei are presented. These investigations were performed as part of the Olimpiya project. It is shown that the etching rate and the fully etched track length are independent of the track orientation relative to the crystallographic symmetry axes of each olivine crystal under investigation.

Technique for determining the charge of cosmic ray nuclei by tracks in olivine crystals from meteorites

A technique for identifying the charge of cosmic ray nuclei, based on measurements of the length and average etch rate of tracks chemically etched in olivine crystals from the Marjalahti pallasite is described.

Low-energy nuclear reactions in crystal structures

Results of studying low-energy nuclear reactions at the HELIS facility (LPI) are presented. Investigations of yields from DD reactions in deuterated crystal structures at deuteron energies of 10 to 25 keV show a considerable enhancement effect. It is shown that exposure of the deuterated targets to the Н+ (proton) and Ne+ beams with energies from 10 to 25 keV and an X-ray beam with the energy of 20 to 30 keV stimulates DD reaction yields. For the CVD diamond target, it is shown that its orientation with respect to the deuteron beam affects the neutron yield. The D+ beam is shown to cause much higher heat release in the TiDx target than the Н+ and Ne+ beams, and this heat release depends on the deuterium concentration in the target and the current density of the deuteron beam.

X-ray spectra from deuterated crystal structures interacting with ion beams with energies below 25 keV

The yields of nuclear reactions in textured CVD (chemical vapor deposition) diamond samples irradiated with a deuteron ion beam are measured. The sample orientation in the deuteron beam is shown to influence the value of the DD reaction yield. The X-ray fluorescence spectra from the surface of deuterated targets irradiated with an ion beam are studied. Analysis of the fluorescence spectra revealed “additional” peaks which cannot be associated with any known elements and require separate studies.

Study of the charge distribution of galactic cosmic rays and search for superheavy nuclei traces in olivine crystals from meteorites

The search for and identification of energetic nuclei of superheavy elements of cosmic rays in olivine crystals frommeteorites, currently performedwithin the Olympia project [1], are based on measurements of dynamic and geometrical parameters of tracks, i.e., chemically etchable regions of the traces of slowing down of these nuclei before their stop, using the fully automated PAVIKOM measuring system [2].