Changes in the chemical composition of nuclear-reaction products irradiated with 10-MeV γ quanta in deuterium-saturated palladium

A deuterium high-pressure chamber (DHPC) containing a deuterated palladium cylinder is filled with 1.2 kbar molecular deuterium. The DHPC is irradiated with 10-MeV bremsstrahlung γ quanta produced by means of an MT-25 electron accelerator for 18 h (the electron-beam current is 11–13 μA). The elemental composition of the surfaces of all DHPC components surrounded by dense deuterium gas is studied using a scanning electron microscope equipped with an X-ray microprobe analyzer. It is established that all components turn out to be covered by a more or less homogeneous layer incorporating larger microparticles of lead. In addition, light elements, such as 6 C, 8 O, 11 Na, 12 Mg, 13 Al, 14 Si, 22 Ti, 25 Mn, 26 Fe, 29 Cu, and 30 Zn, and heavy metals, e.g., 47 Ag, 73 Ta, 74 W, 78 Pt, and 79 Au, are detected. The processes capable of bringing about the anomalies observed in the composition of the newly created chemical elements are discussed.