A direct search for neutron nuclei in decay of U.

An experiment in direct registration of neutron nuclei () using a multineutron detector has been conducted for the first time. The results indicate the presence of hexaneutron and/or octaneutron emission in decay of U nuclei. The multineutron detector consisted of 20 ³He-filled counters placed in a polyethylene moderator. Samples (emitters) of uranium trioxide (UO₃) were used as sources of neutron nuclei. The experiment was conducted for a period of 112.66 days. Thus, the ratios of probabilities of hexaneutron and/or octaneutron emission by the U nuclei to the probabilities of -decay have been determined as upper bounds at a 90% confidence level: and . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]