We have investigated possible neutron emission from cells containing titanium and palladium under ${\mathrm{D}}_2$, DT, or HD gas at pressures near 10 and 50 atm and at temperatures between -197 °C and room temperature. Spurious backgrounds were eliminated from the data by means of coincidence counting, and through analysis of the energy and temporal distribution of the detected pulses. After 1500 hours of observation, we have seen no evidence for either steady-state neutron production or short (<100 μs) neutron bursts. The limits we obtain, scaled for sample size, are in conflict with all present reports of neutron emission in metal hydrides under high gas pressure and thermal stress.

• Received 8 March 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.42.30