Earlier I suggested checking for C14 by liquid scintillation checking
of the residue in the subject experiment because: (1) it is cheap,
(2) it is quantitatively very accurate to incredibly small
quantities, (3) it can be accomplished after the fact, and (4) the
probability of increased C14 may be small but finding it could have
dramatic consequences. It provides a check for C13+p+e -> C14 and C12
+D+e -> C14 reactions. These reactions are reasonable to check for
provided C13 is actually being created in the large quantities
suggested without a positron signature. If C13 is not being created
then most of this discussion is moot.
On a similar basis, I would like to suggest NMR analysis of the
residue because: (1) it is cheap though not as cheap as C14 counting,
(2) it is quantitatively very accurate to incredibly small quantities
(and sample size), (3) it can be accomplished after the fact, and (4)
proving the synthesis of large amounts of C13 from C12 by chemical
means could have dramatic consequences. This should put an end to
all speculation. C13 is readily distinguished from C12 because it has
a nuclear magnetic moment, and is sensitive enough to NMR to
distinguish chemical bonds in which it is involved. C13 NMR is a well
developed technology commonly used to determine organic molecular
structure due to the fact C13 is 1.1 % abundant, thus the needed
signals are readily acquired.
Best regards,
Horace Heffner
http://www.mtaonline.net/~hheffner/
