Newsgroups: sci.physics.fusion
Subject: Kamiokande and BYU experiments
From: jonesse@physc1.byu.edu
Date: 11 Nov 92 10:17:26 -0700
Distribution: world
Organization: Brigham Young University

I would like to set the record straight regarding the recent experiments
using the Japanese Kamiokande detector and detectors now in operation in
a tunnel in the Wasatch mountains near the campus of Brigham Young Univer-
sity.  Actually, we are encouraged somewhat by the results in that a small
(very small - no nuclear "excess heat") seems to be produced, and we think
the results may be significant in the context of the geological fusion 
hypothesis which the BYU group advanced some years ago.
Perhaps the fairest way to represent the results of the Kamiokande experiment
is to quote the Conclusions section of the master's thesis on the subject 
written in 1992 by Taku Ishida.  The thesis is widely available due to 
distribution by the University of Tokyo a few months ago, as ICRR-Report-277
-92-15.  I would also be happy to send a copy to interested parties.  The
work is extensive, and it is most unfair to dismiss this as a "negative"
experiment on cold fusion.  Listen to the conclusions which represent the
current consensus of the collaboration:
   By using the Kamiokande-III detector, the detectable limit of random neutron 
emission is pulled down to 10-4 neutrons per secone level, and the signal to
noise ratio is much improved than ever.  [Note this is the sensitivity level,
not an upper limit on neutron emissions.  A clear random neutron emission
signal is reported in point 3 below.]   Figure 7-1 compares our results with
others.
Some burst neutron emissions were observed especialy from the electrolytic
cells.  The event rate (0.06 bursts per hour) was comparable to that of Menlove
et al (1990), but the maximum multiplicity was only limited to four (source
neutron of about 11, Fig. 7-2).  [Small burst events were seen in the deuterium
cells, but large bursts were not.  The SAME materials used in D2O electrolytic
cells were loaded with hydrogen, but the small - burst rate was significantly
slower, so we believe we have ruled out the possibility that this signal is due
to contamination of radioactive trace materials.  We have found no conventional
explanation after careful and deep probing.]  
(1)  Pressurized D2-gas type experiment
We did not find random neutron emission above background.  The flux limit is
8.0 X 10-5 neutrons per second at 90% confidence level.  But this limit is
simply deduced from the statistical error of 1311 hours of measurement, and
is not very meaningful because it is claimed that the neutron emission lasts 
only for several tens of hours.  [Note caveat.]
Burst neutron emission was also searched for and we found 5 bursts with the 
maximum multiplicity of 3.  They can only be explained by about 5 p.p.m.
(micrograms per gram) level uranium contamination in the titanium chips.  A
sample measurement of the same titanium gave the upper limit of 1 ppm for
uranium contamination (recent measurement, 0.14 ppm in titanium and less than
0.01 ppm in stainless steel).     We did not find bursts with multiplicity
higher than 4, and all of the bursts appeared in the normal temperature, not
during the warmup from the liquid nitrogen temperature, as reported in many
references.
(2) Electrolytic cells experiment
We did not find random neutron activity above background.  The flux limit is
9.8 X 10-5 neutrons per second for the April set (387 hours) and 5.7 X 10-5
neutrons per second for the July set (570 hours) at 90% confidence level. 
Again these numbers are not very meaningful if the neutron emission is a
phenomenon of up to several tens of hours.
We have observed 9 bursts with maximum multiplicity of 4.  The probability
athat these bursts originate in uranium contamination [ or other contamination,
since we ran with hydrogen in the same materials] is less than 2 X 10-4, 
probably at the level of 10-6.  [Not very likely.]  Low statistics of
background measurement does not allow us to estimate the probability more
precisely.

(3) Cement experiment
We have found a clear random neutron emission from the portland cement mixed
with D2O at the level of 1X10-3 neutrons/second, which is, however, difficult
to explain based on radioactivity contamination in the cement, though more
data are clearly needed.  [Signal is about ten times the sensitivity level.]
(4)  More study
Several more data on teh portland cement + D2O are to be analyzed.  A system-
atic study of radioactive impurities in all the samples is underway.  The
final results critically depend on these studies and will be reported soon.

As I have reported at recent scientific conferences, further studies on cement
+D2O at Kamiokande and in the BYU tunnel lab continue to show a "clear random
neutron emission" while the cement is curing (not after heat-curing).  The
cement+H2O samples show no signal in four tries.  We have transported these
cement+D2O studies to Provo from Kamiokande for two main reasons:  1- The 
neutron (clearly not gamma) signal from  the curing cement is sufficiently
large to interfere with neutrino measurements in the Kamiokande, so we looked
for another facility to pursue the path; 2- the Kamiokande is sensitive to
thermalized neutrons, and therefore to neutrons from (a particular concern)
deuteron photodisintegration induced by gammas from daughters such as thallium
208.  We have made an extensive study of this question (along with fission
neutrons and d(alpha,n) reactions) in the Provo Tunnel, and have not found
a fitting conventional explanation.  Moreover, we have a detector which
discriminates against the low-energy photodisintegration neutrons, and yet
the signal from fast-setting cement + D2O is seen in Provo.  Clearly, we
will not abandon the path as we have searched diligently for years for a
reliable neutron producer.  We are attempting to isolate the reaction(s)
responsible for the "clear random neutron emission" from setting cement +
D2O.  
Again I stress that the observed signals are very small and in no way support
claims of excess heat production in electrolytic cells by nuclear processes.
Sincerely,
Steven E. Jones
BYU