Investigation of quantum tunnelling on the metallic hydride surfaces in the electrolysis process

Quantum tunnelling plays a role in some physical phenomena, such as electron emission from metals in the presence of an external electric field, alpha radiation from the nucleus, etc. The phenomenon of neutron emission from the surface of palladium hydride metal when palladium and platinum electrodes are electrolysed in water or heavy-water electrolyte, has been observed, which has not been given a convincing reason so far. In this article, we investigate the probability of quantum tunnelling of proton or deuteron for pass-through of the Coulomb barrier of palladium nucleus. This entry of proton or deuteron in the nucleus causes the neutron to exit from the nucleus. According to the Empire software results, just 105Pd can produce neutrons by the quantum tunnelling phenomenon. The calculation results for this neutron production rate per unit of time agree with its experimental results. © Indian Academy of Sciences 2024.