Anisotropic and impulsive neutron emissions from brittle rocks under mechanical load

The aim of the present research work is to investigate the emission of neutrons from inert materials subjected to mechanical load. If confirmed, this emission can be seen as a proof of the existence of piezonuclear reactions, i.e. nuclear reactions of fission induced by pressure. This investigation was performed by loading specimens of granite under uniaxial compression till failure and recording the emissions through passive dosimeters. In the present work, the experimental setup was designed and realised, in accordance with what is described in the literature as concerns neutron emissions from inert rock specimens under compressive uniaxial loads. The proper functioning of dosimeters was verified and the experimental functional procedure with radioactive sources was described in the paper. The preliminary experimental activity of the measurement of the background level of neutrons was performed describing the set up allowing it. Finally, the functional tests with radioactive sources, measurement of background values and neutron emission tests during the monoaxial destructive compression tests of the granite specimen were compared and discussed.