DD-fusion reactions at a PbAg(D) target in a mini reactor

Deuterium ions with a high energy of up to 30 keV hit the target consisting of PdAg23 saturated with deuterium. At ion energies above 25 keV a neutron current be measured, which is proportional to the ion current. The article presents results obtained with an ion current of 2 μA and 27 keV. The PdAg prepared as a tube closed at one end is the cathode in an electrolytic cell, while the open tube end is connected to a vacuum device. From this end, a coaxially arranged, high-voltage insulated electron impact ion gun is inserted into the tube. It generates ions from the gas diffusing in, and the ions, accelerated to high energies in the strong electric field in the annular vacuum space between ion gun and metal tube, penetrate into the metal as a counter current to the diffusion current. The fusion rate thus obtained is higher by a factor 100 than that achieved with a gas target. (orig.)