Search for 4 He Production from Pd/D2 Systems in Gas Phase

We describe the performance of an apparatus consisting of a cell containing a Pd sheet loaded with D2 in gas phase coupled to a high resolution Q-mass spectrometer. The loading ratio α = D/Pd is increased by applying a constant electric field along the Pd sheet, α is carefully measured by means of the electric resistance variation and of the thermodynamic parameters. In one experiment a signal corresponding to 4 He production was observed.