Bob,

 

There is simply too little nickel. If looking for bremsstrahlung, and in the 
absence of gamma - a possible source of high speed electrons would be muon 
decay. 

 

At least this would be true in a situation like the glow-tube, where dense 
hydrogen would be expected to form.

 

If the counts are higher inside the lead cave, compared to outside (bare), it 
is very likely that the source is muonic from the reactor, not cosmic - and the 
target is lead.

 

From: Bob Higgins 

 

I don't know if other Vorts thought of this already... but I had a minor 
epiphany regarding the radiation that MFMP measured in GS5.2.  We identified 
this radiation tentatively as bremsstrahlung.  This has certain implications.  
Bremsstrahlung requires that the high speed electrons impact on a high atomic 
mass element so as to be accelerated/decelerated quickly to produce the 
radiation.  It could be that the stainless steel can that contained the fuel 
was an important component in seeing the bremsstrahlung.  Without the can, 
there would still be the Ni for the electrons to hit, but the Ni is covered 
with light atomic mass Li.  If the electrons were to strike alumina (no fuel 
can present), I don't think there would be nearly as much bremsstrahlung 
because alumina is comprised of light elements.  

 

Thus, the stainless steel can for the fuel may be an important component for 
seeing the bremsstrahlung.

Bob Higgins

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