Detection of three-body deuteron fusion in titanium deuteride under the stimulation by a deuteron beam

Two unique particles with equal energy (4.75 MeV triton and 4.75 MeV helium -3) created by three-body deuteron fusion (3D fusion) reactions were for th e first time clearly observed from a highly D-loaded TID, sample under stim ulation by a low-energy deuteron beam. The ratio of reaction rate to 2D fus ion was [3D]/[2D]=10(-4), while estimation by the established theory of nuc lear fusion in random (free particle) reaction processes gives [3D]/[2D]=10 (-30) and fails to explain the experiment. To explain the observed enormous enhancement of 3D fusion, coherent fusion processes in dynamics of a metal -deuteride lattice should be considered. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.