Facts of the Cold Fusion Phenomenon

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the facts of the cold fusion phenomenon (CFP). CFP was discovered in 1989. In the early years of its research, the central point of discussion was the Fleischmann's hypothesis about d–d fusion reactions in solids around which research of and critique against the CFP had been mainly performed. There are several specific models for events such as helium-4 and excess heat productions or production of praseodymium (Pr) in a system with cesium (Cs). This chapter presents an overall feature of experimental data sets of the CFP and depicts an entire image of this phenomenon, to investigate its quantum mechanically. This chapter discusses the differences between hydrated and deuterated alloys. It explains how and where CFP occurs. It highlights the importance of surface and boundary layers in CFP, and describes the role of background neutrons. The chapter explains the concept of nuclear transmutation and presents a summary of experimental results of CFP.