D(d,p)t reaction rate enhancement in a mixed layer of Au and Pd

To investigate possible anomaly in nuclear reactions in solids, deuterium ion irradiation of deuterated Au/Pd samples have been performed with extensive measurements of reaction products and in situ characterization of the samples including ERDA and RBS. The D(d,p)t reaction rate has been observed to become three orders of magnitude greater than the calculated one. The deuterium density distribution in the sample with a composition modified by irradiation has been observed to be peaked at a depth appreciably greater than the projectile range. We speculate that the formation of the mixed layer of An and Pd maintaining significantly high deuterium density is the key factor for the reaction rate enhancement.