Beta-like tracks in a cloud chamber from nickel cathodes after electrolysis

Shyam Sunder Lakesar; Raj Ganesh S. Pala; K P Rajeev

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arXiv · 2512.22815

Beta-like tracks in a cloud chamber from nickel cathodes after electrolysis

Shyam Sunder Lakesar·Raj Ganesh S. Pala·K P Rajeev

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Abstract

Electrochemically induced nuclear activity in hydrogen and deuterium-absorbing metals has been reported intermittently, yet a direct observation of nuclear signatures remains challenging. We electrolyzed light water with nickel cathodes under half-wave rectified RMS potentials of 5 V and 20 V and subsequently analyzed them using a Peltier-cooled diffusion-type Wilson cloud chamber for particle emission. The reacted cathodes emitted beta-like particles forming condensation tracks of lengths of 0.6 to 16 mm and an average activity of 0.6 plus or minus 0.1 counts per minute for 5 V samples and 1.0 plus or minus 0.1 counts per minute for 20 V samples. No such emissions were detected from unreacted samples. These results provide empirical evidence that electrochemical reactions can generate radioactive isotopes in condensed matter.

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Shyam Sunder Lakesar, Raj Ganesh S. Pala, K P Rajeev. 2025-12-28. Beta-like tracks in a cloud chamber from nickel cathodes after electrolysis. https://arxiv.org/abs/2512.22815

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