Neutron emission from fracturing of granite blocks: An experimental revisitation

TL;DR

This study revisits previous claims of neutron emission during granite fracture, conducting new experiments that found no neutron detection, raising questions about earlier results and measurement reliability.

Contribution

The paper provides a critical experimental reassessment of neutron emission during granite fracture, challenging prior findings and highlighting measurement uncertainties.

Findings

No neutrons detected during experiments

Previous neutron emission reports are likely due to measurement errors

Reevaluation questions the validity of earlier claims

Abstract

A series of experimental tests, such as those of Carpinteri et al. (2013), have been performed. The aim was to check the emission of neutrons in the fracture of Luserna granite blocks under mechanical loading, as reported by the above mentioned authors. No neutrons have been detected and some doubts have emerged on the soundness of the previous measurements.