Deuterium Production Research Articles

Monitoring of nanoplasmonics-assisted deuterium production in a polymer seeded with resonant Au nanorods using in situ femtosecond laser induced breakdown spectroscopy

In this brief report, we present laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) evidence of deuterium (D) production in a 3:1 urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA) and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) polymer doped with resonant gold nanorods, induced by intense, 40 fs laser pulses. The in situ recorded LIBS spectra revealed that the D/(2D + H) increased to 4–8% in the polymer samples in selected events. The extent of transmutation was found to linearly increase with the laser pulse energy (intensity) between 2 and 25 mJ (up to 3 × 1017W/cm2). The observed effect is attributed only to the field enhancing effects due to excited localized surface plasmons on the gold nanoparticles.

Advancements in Portable Deuterium Reactor Systems: A Multifaceted Scientific Investigation

Deuterium, an isotope of hydrogen, holds significant promise across a spectrum of scientific and industrial domains, particularly within the realms of nuclear technology, chemistry, and pharmaceuticals. This comprehensive review explores the multifaceted applications and implications of deuterium utilization, spanning from its role in nuclear fusion reactors to its incorporation into organic molecules for medicinal purposes. In the field of nuclear fusion, deuterium serves as a primary fuel source, offering the potential for clean, sustainable energy production through controlled fusion reactions. Detailed experimental studies have revealed the efficacy of electrolysis-based methods for deuterium enrichment, leading to substantial increases in deuterium concentration within water and organic solvents. Moreover, novel approaches such as laser stimulation have been investigated to enhance the efficiency of deuterium extraction and fusion processes. Beyond nuclear fusion, deuterium finds extensive use in organic chemistry, where isotopic labeling techniques enable the synthesis of deuterated compounds with altered chemical and pharmacokinetic properties. This includes the production of deuterated polyunsaturated fatty acids (D-PUFAs), offering new avenues for drug development and metabolic research. Economically, the commercialization of deuterium-based technologies presents lucrative opportunities for industries involved in energy production, pharmaceuticals, and materials science. The increasing demand for deuterated compounds underscores the importance of efficient and sustainable methods for deuterium extraction and enrichment. Looking ahead, ongoing research endeavors aim to further optimize deuterium-related processes, enhance fusion reactor efficiency, and explore novel applications in fields such as isotope geochemistry and environmental remediation. However, challenges remain, including the scalability of deuterium production, regulatory hurdles, and geopolitical considerations surrounding deuterium-rich regions. In conclusion, the comprehensive examination of deuterium's diverse applications underscores its pivotal role in advancing scientific understanding and technological innovation. By harnessing its unique properties, researchers and industries alike stand poised to unlock new frontiers in energy, medicine, and beyond.

Crater formation and deuterium production in laser irradiation of polymers with implanted nano-antennas.

Recent validation experiments on laser irradiation of polymer foils with and without implanted golden nanoparticles are discussed. First we analyze characteristics of craters, formed in the target after its interaction with the laser beam. Preliminary experimental results show significant production of deuterons when both the energy of laser pulse and concentration of nanoparticles are high enough. We consider the deuteron production via the nuclear transmutation reactions p+C→d+X where protons are accelerated by the Coulomb field generated in the target plasma. We argue that maximal proton energy can be above threshold values for these reactions and the deuteron yield may noticeably increase due to presence of nanoparticles.

With Nanoplasmonics towards Fusion

A status report is presented about the Nanoplasmonic Laser Induced Fusion Experiment (NAPLIFE). The goal is to investigate and verify plasmonically enhanced phenomena on the surfaces of nanoantennas embedded in a polymer target at laser intensities up to a few times 1016 W/cm2 and pulse durations of 40–120 fs. The first results on enhanced crater formation for Au-doped polymer targets are shown, and SERS signals typical for CD2 and ND bound vibrations are cited. Trials to detect D/H ratio by means of LIBS measurments are reported. Plasmonics has the potential to work at these intensities, enhancing the energy and deuterium production, due to thus far unknown mechanisms.

Bayesian Estimation of the D(p,γ)3He Thermonuclear Reaction Rate

Abstract Big bang nucleosynthesis (BBN) is the standard model theory for the production of light nuclides during the early stages of the universe, taking place about 20 minutes after the big bang. Deuterium production, in particular, is highly sensitive to the primordial baryon density and the number of neutrino species, and its abundance serves as a sensitive test for the conditions in the early universe. The comparison of observed deuterium abundances with predicted ones requires reliable knowledge of the relevant thermonuclear reaction rates and their corresponding uncertainties. Recent observations reported the primordial deuterium abundance with percent accuracy, but some theoretical predictions based on BBN are in tension with the measured values because of uncertainties in the cross section of the deuterium-burning reactions. In this work, we analyze the S-factor of the D(p,γ)3He reaction using a hierarchical Bayesian model. We take into account the results of 11 experiments, spanning the period of 1955–2021, more than any other study. We also present results for two different fitting functions, a two-parameter function based on microscopic nuclear theory and a four-parameter polynomial. Our recommended reaction rates have a 2.2% uncertainty at 0.8 GK, which is the temperature most important for deuterium BBN. Differences between our rates and previous results are discussed.

A Promising Alternative for Sustainable and Highly Efficient Solar-Driven Deuterium Evolution at Room Temperature by Photocatalytic D2 O Splitting.

Motivated by energy shortages and in view of current efforts to develop clean, renewable energy sources based on fusion, a solar-driven strategy has been developed for deuterium evolution. Deuterium is a critical resource for many aspects. However, the limited natural abundance of deuterium and the complexity of established technologies, such as quantum sieving (QS) for deuterium production under extreme conditions, pose challenges. The new method has the potential for robust and sustainable deuterium evolution, enabling deuterium production at a high rate of 9.745 mmol g-1 h-1 . The activity, thermodynamic, and kinetic characteristics are also investigated and compared between photocatalytic heavy water (D2 O) splitting and water (H2 O) splitting. This study opens a new avenue to discover promising photocatalytic deuterium generation systems for advanced solar energy utilization and deuterium enrichment.

Ultracold hydrogen and deuterium production via Doppler-cooled molecules

SynopsisA scheme to produce ultracold hydrogen or deuterium atoms via photo-fragmentation, even allowing direct formation of a quantum gas

On the Feasibility of Self-Sustainable Deuterium Production in Fusion Reactors Using an Ionization Chamber

In this technical note we examine a method for self-sustainable (in-situ) deuterium production in a fusion reactor, using a very different approach to those considered in previous studies. Here, instead of pursuing the production of deuterium via neutron capture (\(H+n\rightarrow D\)) inside and/or outside the fusion chamber, the deuterium is obtained by ionization induced by the neutronic flux in an ionization chamber and then electromagnetically separated. Using conservative modelling assumptions, an estimate of the amount of deuterium obtainable per day is made. The results show the feasibility of this approach, encouraging further research. Using the proposed method in combination with the use of lithium blankets for tritium breeding opens a new possibility for integral in-situ production of all the nuclear fuel required for fusion.

The effect on radiation damage of structural material in a hybrid system by using a Monte Carlo radiation transport code

In this study, the molten salt-heavy metal mixtures 99–95% Li20Sn80-1-5% SFG-Pu, 99–95% Li20Sn80-1-5% SFG-PuF4, 99-95% Li20Sn80-1-5% SFG-PuO2 were used as fluids. The fluids were used in the liquid first-wall, blanket and shield zones of the designed hybrid reactor system. 9Cr2WVTa ferritic steel with the width of 4cm was used as the structural material. The parameters of radiation damage are proton, deuterium, tritium, He-3 and He-4 gas production rates. In this study, the effects of the selected fluid on the radiation damage, in terms of individual as well as total isotopes in the structural material, were investigated for 30 full power years (FPYs). Three-dimensional analyses were performed using the most recent version of the MCNPX-2.7.0 Monte Carlo radiation transport code and the ENDF/B-VII.0 nuclear data library.

Investigation of neutronic effects in structural material of a hybrid reactor by using the MCNPX Monte Carlo transport code

Abstract In this study, 98–90% Li2BeF4-2–10% ThF4, 98–90% Li2BeF4-2–10% UF4, 98–90% Li2BeF4-2–10% UO2 and 100% Li2BeF4 molten salt-heavy metal was used as fluid. The fluids were used in the liquid first wall, liquid second wall and shield zones of the designed hybrid reactor system. A steel wall of 4 cm thickness is used as structural material. Proton, deuterium, tritium, He-3 and He-4 gas production rates are the parameters of radiation damage. In the study, the effect of liquid second wall thicknesses (20 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm) on the neutron flux distribution and the parameters of radiation damage according to neutron energy spectrum in the structural material were investigated for the selected fluids. A three-dimensional analysis was done by using the most recent version of the MCNPX-2.7.0 Monte Carlo code and the nuclear data library ENDF/B-VII.

Neutrons in the low-background Ge-detector vicinity estimated from different activation reactions

Neutrons produced by cosmic-ray muons in a detector shield and other surrounding materials can be captured or scattered by different nuclei in subsequent reactions. The gamma photons emitted after nuclear capture or scattering from produced Ge isotopes are used to estimate the neutron flux. If a bulk sample measured in some low background gamma spectroscopy system contains hydrogen, a high energy photon (of energy 2223keV) emitted in the process of deuterium production can be used to estimate the flux of thermal neutrons. Results obtained from the interaction of neutrons with H as well as with some Ge isotopes are computed and compared in this paper. The passive lead shield in a detector system is a source of a significant fraction of the gamma radiation induced by capture and inelastic scattering of neutrons. We also used gamma lines emitted by several Pb isotopes to estimate the neutron flux near a detector.

Verification of hydrogen isotope separation/enrichment by pressure swing adsorption process: Successive enrichment of deuterium using SZ-5A column

We have been developing a system of hydrogen isotope separation using a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) method, aiming at applying it in the fusion fuel cycle and/or the convenient deuterium production for fusion or/and fission reactors. Particularly, for the issue that tritium inventory in the DT fusion system must be as low as possible, the PSA method will be advantageous because its process inventory is reasonably less than such as in a cryogenic distillation system. The PSA system is generally composed of several adsorption columns cooperating in sequential procedure and alternative combination among adsorption, desorption and another preparative process. A variety of operational modes are made suitable for producing a material needed to be enriched or isolated. In this work, supposing the production of deuterium from natural hydrogen or the recovery of tritium from such as a spent nuclear heavy-water moderator, we carried out an experimental series of PSA process system operating successive separation and enrichment of tracer D 2 from a H 2–D 2 mixture, using a single column packed with SZ-5A at 77.4 K. Availability of the PSA hydrogen isotope separation process is endorsed in experimental results.

Multi-Component Behavior of Hydrogen Isotopes in Zeolite Packed-Beds Used for Cryogenic Pressure Swing Adsorption

Authors have been studying the adsorption or/and desorption behavior of H2 or/and D2 with synthetic zeolite packed-beds under the cryogenic condition of liquid nitrogen temperature, aiming at developing a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) process of hydrogen isotope separation useful for tritium processing in fusion fuel cycle and environmental tritium safety confinement, or convenient for deuterium production. We examined the mass transfer in the adsorption system of D2 diluted in H2 with zeolite packed-beds, experimentally and analytically. The results have been presented, where it is shown that the enrichment factor of D2 in packed-beds matches with estimated from the isothermal adsorption characteristics and that the mass transfer is controlled in the macro-pore media of adsorbents. In this work, the behavior of tracer HD added in a H2-D2 mixture with zeolite 5A and 13X packed-beds was experimentally investigated, and was analyzed by the curve-fitting as well as for the behavior of D2. In this report, the experimental results demonstrate that the breakthrough curves of HD exhibit analogous to those of D2 but reduced in the breakthrough time in comparison to the latter. The analytical results verify that the HD/H2 separation factor in packed-beds agrees with predicted from the isothermal adsorption characteristics, and show that the isotope effect on the mass transfer depends on the molecular mass effect.

Primordial 4He Abundance Constrains the Possible Time Variation of the Higgs Vacuum Expectation Value

We constrain the possible time variation of the Higgs vacuum expectation value ($v$) by recent results on the primordial $^4He$ abundance ($Y_P$). For that, we use an analytic approach which enables us to take important issues into consideration, that have been ignored by previous works, like the $v$-dependence of the relevant cross sections of deuterium production and photodisintegration, including the full Klein- Nishina cross section. Furthermore, we take a non-equilibrium Ansatz for the freeze-out concentration of neutrons and protons and incorporate the latest results on the neutron decay. Finally, we approximate the key-parameters of the primordial $^4He$ production (the mean lifetime of the free neutron and the binding energy of the deuteron) by terms of $v\over v_0$ (where $v_0$ denotes the present theoretical estimate). Eventually, we derive the relation $Y_P \simeq 0.2479 - 5.54 (\frac{v-v_0}{v_0})^2 - 0.808~ (\frac{v-v_0}{v_0})$ and the most stringent limit on a possible time variation of $v$ is given by: $-5.4 \cdot 10^{-4} \leq \frac{v-v_0}{v_0} \leq 4.4 \cdot 10^{-4}$.

Optimal plate aspect ratio for the improvement in recovery of deuterium from water-isotopes mixture in flat-plate thermal diffusion columns

The effects of plate aspect ratio on the degree of deuterium recovery, production rate and plate surface area in a flat-plate thermal diffusion column with plate surface area fixed, have been investigated. Theoretical considerations show that when the thermal diffusion columns are constructed with the best plate aspect ratio, maximum recovery of deuterium, maximum production rate or minimum plate surface area can be achieved. The optimal plate aspect ratio for maximum recovery of deuterium is obtained with given production rate and plate surface area, while that for maximum production rate is determined with the degree of deuterium recovery and plate surface area fixed, and that for minimum plate surface area is estimated with known degree of deuterium recovery and production rate. The maximum degree of separation and maximum production rate are achieved without changing any total expense, while the design with minimum plate surface area results in minimizing the total expense.

On Nonprimordial Deuterium Production by Accelerated Particles

Deuterium plays a crucial role in cosmology because the primordial D/H abundance, in the context of big bang nucleosynthesis (BBN) theory, yields a precise measure of the cosmic baryon content. Observations of D/H can limit or measure the true primordial abundance because D is thought to be destroyed by stars and thus D/H monotonically decreases after BBN. Recently, however, Mullan & Linsky have pointed out that D arises as a secondary product of neutrons in stellar flares that then capture on protons via n + p → d + γ and that this could dominate over direct D production in flares. Mullan & Linsky note that if this process is sufficiently vigorous in flaring dwarf stars, it could lead to significant non-BBN D production. We have considered the production of D in stellar flares, both directly and by n capture. We find that for reasonable flare spectra, n/d ≲ 10 and (n + d)/6Li ≲ 400, both of which indicate that the n-capture channel does not allow for Galactic D production at a level that will reverse the monotonic decline of D. We also calculate the 2.22 MeV gamma-ray line production associated with n capture and find that existing COMPTEL limits also rule out significant D production in the Galaxy today. Thus, we find that flares in particular and neutron captures in general are not an important Galactic source of D. On the other hand, we cannot exclude that flare production might contribute to recent Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) observations of large variations in the local interstellar D/H abundance; we do, however, offer important constraints on this possibility. Finally, since flare stars should inevitably produce some n-capture events, a search for diffuse 2.22 MeV gamma rays by INTEGRAL can further constrain (or measure!) Galactic deuterium production via n-capture.

Light‐Element Synthesis in High‐Entropy Relativistic Flows Associated with Gamma‐Ray Bursts

We calculate and discuss the light element freeze-out nucleosynthesis in high entropy winds and fireballs for broad ranges of entropy-per-baryon, dynamic timescales characterizing relativistic expansion, and neutron-to-proton ratios. With conditions characteristic of Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs) we find that deuterium production can be prodigious, with final abundance values 2H/H approximately 2%, depending on the fireball isospin, late time dynamics, and the effects of neutron decoupling- induced high energy non-thermal nuclear reactions. This implies that there potentially could be detectable local enhancements in the deuterium abundance associated with GRB events.

Antimatter regions in the early universe and big bang nucleosynthesis

We have studied big bang nucleosynthesis in the presence of regions of antimatter. Depending on the distance scale of the antimatter region, and thus the epoch of their annihilation, the amount of antimatter in the early universe is constrained by the observed abundances. Small regions, which annihilate after weak freezeout but before nucleosynthesis, lead to a reduction in the ${}^{4}\mathrm{He}$ yield, because of neutron annihilation. Large regions, which annihilate after nucleosynthesis, lead to an increased ${}^{3}\mathrm{He}$ yield. Deuterium production is also affected but not as much. The three most important production mechanisms of ${}^{3}\mathrm{He}$ are (1) photodisintegration of ${}^{4}\mathrm{He}$ by the annihilation radiation, (2) ${p}^{4}\mathrm{He}$ annihilation, and (3) ${n}^{4}\mathrm{He}$ annihilation by ``secondary'' antineutrons produced in ${}^{4}\overline{\mathrm{He}}$ annihilation. Although ${p}^{4}\mathrm{He}$ annihilation produces more ${}^{3}\mathrm{He}$ than the secondary ${n}^{4}\mathrm{He}$ annihilation, the products of the latter survive later annihilation much better, since they are distributed further away from the annihilation zone. Our results are in qualitative agreement with similar work by Rehm and Jedamzik, but we get a larger ${}^{3}\mathrm{He}$ yield.

Constraints on Galactic Center Activity: A Search for Enhanced Galactic Center Lithium and Boron

The abundances of lithium and boron provide important information about big bang nucleosynthesis, Galactic chemical evolution, stellar evolution, and cosmic-ray spallation reactions. We conducted the -rst search for the ground-state hyper-ne-structure transitions of Li I F 2E1; 803 MHz) and B I (2S 1@2 ; F 2E1; 732 MHz). We used the 43 m NRAO radio telescope to search for enhanced Galactic (2P 1@2 ; center (GC) Li and B expected from models of Galactic activity. We did not detect Li I or B I and obtained upper limits of N(Li I) 1.9 ) 1016 cm~2, (Li/H) 3.9 ) 10~8, N(B I) 2.2 ) 1018 cm~2, and (B/H) 9.2 ) 10~6 for the dense 20 km s~1 Sgr A molecular cloud where our largest sources of uncer- tainties are Li I/Li, B I/B, and N(H). Our observations imply (Li/H) GC 22 (Li/H) disk , (Li/H) GC 39 For a simple (Li/H) diskvspallation , (B/H) GC 1.2 ) 104 (B/H) disk , (B/H) GC 1.5 ) 104 (B/H) diskvspallation . model combining mass loss from AGB stars (only for Li), spallation reactions, and SN l-nucleosynthesis, we estimate (13 times enhancement) and (10 times (Li/H) GC 1.3 ) 10~8 (B/H) GC 7.4 ) 10~9 enhancement). If Li is primarily produced via spallation reactions from a cosmic-ray proton Nux / p (t) with the same energy and trapping as in the disk, then (/ Comparing our / p (t)dt) GC 13(/ / p (t)dt) disk . results to AGN models, we conclude that the GC has not had an extended period of AGN activity containing a large cosmic-ray Nux ergs s~1 for 108 yr), a large low-energy cosmic-ray Nux (L CR 1044 (less than 100 times the disk Nux), or a large c-ray Nux ergs s~1 for 109 yr). Furthermore, (L c 1042 since any Galactic deuterium production will signi-cantly enhance the abundances of Li and B, our results imply that there are no sources of D in the GC or Galaxy. Therefore, all the Galactic D orig- inated from the infall of primordial matter with the current D/H reduced by astration and mixing. Subject headings: Galaxy: center E Galaxy: evolution E ISM: abundances E radio lines: general E radio lines: ISM

Optimization of Electrolytic Plants for Deuterium Production: Steady-State Analysis

The methodology for the optimization of an electrolytic plant for the production of deuterium is described. The basis of the optimization is to minimize the amount of electricity used in the electrolytic process, and this is assumed to be proportional to the total amount of gas evolution from the plant. Because the plant consists of two sections, i.e., the feed cascade and the reflux cascade, the conditions where the amount of gas evolution in each cascade is minimum were developed separately. The no-entropy condition, where two feed streams fed to a stage must have the same composition, was used in the optimization of the reflux cascade. From the results of the optimization, it was found that the location of the feed inlet to the reflux cascade and the number of stages in the reflux cascade are the major parameters in the optimization and, also, that the number of stages in the feed cascade does not significantly affect the optimum gas evolution results.