Upper limits on neutron bursts emitted from Ti pressurized D sub 2 gas cells

In a search for bursts of neutrons from Ti in pressurized D{sub 2} gas cells, no statistically significant deviations from the background were observed for events where five or more neutrons are detected over a ten day experiment, including 103 hours of counting with cells on, and 28 hours counting of various backgrounds. Up to four cells were used including some 60 grams of 662-Ti fillings in a pressurized cylinder with 40-60 atmosphere of D{sub 2} gas. Other Ti samples were used too. The samples were cooled to liquid nitrogen temperature and placed in front of the neutron detector while warming up to room temperature. Seven cooling cycles were used, for each sample. The neutron detector system included 12 liquid scintillator neutron detectors, arranged in a close packed geometry, with six detectors in the upper hemisphere and six in the lower hemisphere. A central detector placed 2 cm from the cells was used, in each hemisphere, as a scatterer for a time of flight coincidence measurement, yielding the total coincidence efficiency of {epsilon}=2{plus minus}1%. The system was also used in singles mode to allow for counting with large efficiency. A neutron event is characterized by measuring its pulse heights, pulse shapes, and in some cases its time of flight. Special attention was given to reducing the background by using massive shielding, cosmic ray veto counters and geometrical arrangement that allowed to distinguish between a background event and expected data events. The so obtained background rate is 100 cph in the singles mode'' and in the upper hemisphere 0.4 cph in the coincidence mode.'' We are currently continuing our data analysis in search for random emission and a detailed study of background effects that may reveal the origin of conflicting results reported on neutron emission from cold fusion.'' 3 refs., 5 figs., 3 tabs