Eur. Phys. J. Appl. Phys. 40, 293-303 (2007)
https://doi.org/10.1051/epjap:2007152

Use of CR-39 in Pd/D co-deposition experiments^*

¹ SPAWAR Systems Center San Diego, Code 2373, San Diego, CA 92152, USA
² JWK International Annandale, VA 22003, USA

Corresponding author: pam.boss@navy.mil

Received: 11 June 2007
Accepted: 28 August 2007
Published online: 13 December 2007

Abstract

The use of CR-39, a solid state nuclear track detector, to detect the emission of energetic charged particles during Pd/D co-deposition is demonstrated. The pits observed in the CR-39 are attributed to the Pd/D cathode and are not due to radionuclide contamination in the cell components; nor to the impingement of D₂ bubbles on the surface of the CR-39; nor to chemical attack by D₂, O₂, or Cl₂. The features (i.e., optical contrast, shape, and bright spot in the center of the pit) of the pits generated during Pd/D co-deposition are consistent with those observed for pits that are of a nuclear origin.