Experiment on Detecting Neutrons Produced by Low-Energy Nuclear Reactions Using CR-39

We designed an experimental setup to qualitatively reveal the existence of low-energy nuclear reactions or other possible nuclear processes during laser irradiation, by detecting fast neutrons. Inspired by the experimental scheme first proposed by MIT, laser emitters projecting red light with a wavelength of 445 nm were utilized to target titanium and palladium metal sheets inside chambers filled with helium, hydrogen, deuterium, or argon gas. After 30 days of laser irradiation, a large number of fast neutron tracks were found on both sides of the detectors. Counts were estimated to be one order of magnitude higher than the background, warranting the argument that titanium and palladium sheets, when loaded with certain gases and exposed to prolonged laser irradiation, can produce neutrons. Elements not originally present were detected, consistent with possible transmutation. The new elements due were discovered in most of the samples, and were largely consistent with the neutron production.