University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

An experimental investigation of low energy nuclear reactions in a DC glow discharge

Ziehm, Erik

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ZIEHM-DISSERTATION-2022.pdf

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/115527

Description

Title
An experimental investigation of low energy nuclear reactions in a DC glow discharge
Author(s)
Ziehm, Erik
Issue Date
2022-04-22
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Miley, George H
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Miley, George H
Committee Member(s)
  • Curreli, Davide
  • Di Fulvio, Angela
  • Kim, Kyekyoon
  • Ruzic, David N
Department of Study
Nuclear, Plasma, & Rad Engr
Discipline
Nuclear, Plasma, Radiolgc Engr
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
  • LENR
  • SSNTD
  • CR-39
  • energetic particles
  • nuclear reactions in metal
  • glow discharge
  • palladium deuteride
Abstract
This work addresses the possibility of low energy nuclear reactions within a DC glow deuterium discharge with palladium electrodes. The hypothesis is that the dynamics typically used in plasma for nuclear reactions must be modified while the reactants are within a dynamic solid-state metallic system. In this work, a DC glow deuterium plasma simultaneously implants deuterons into the cathode and causes crystalline deformations, which act as trapping sites for the mobile interstitial deuterons. A Solid-State Nuclear Track Detector (SSNTD), called CR-39, was chosen as the technique to investigate the emission of energetic charged particles from the cathode. While other research has used this type of detector, this is the first application in a low voltage DC plasma discharge, i.e., a discharge with electrodes biased below 1 kV. A new analysis technique was developed, which allowed rapid scanning of large CR-39 surfaces. The new method amassed considerably more data than previous studies. After plasma treatments of Pd, tracks in the CR-39 detectors consistently corresponded to 138 ± 21 keV alpha particles emitted from the palladium electrodes. The track densities for deuterium discharges were often ∼100 times above controls with hydrogen and helium. Currently, there are no known means to accelerate ions to these energies within the apparatus. The production of energetic alpha particles with no source of helium or a means to accelerate the ions to such high energies indicate a nuclear reaction occurred. From alpha particle trajectory estimates, it was concluded the reactions originated at the Pd electrodes. This work provides future researchers the basis for establishing a theory for creating Low Energy Nuclear Reactions (LENR).
Graduation Semester
2022-05
Type of Resource
Thesis
Handle URL
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/115527
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2022 Erik Ziehm

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