Search for Antineutrino Interaction with Deuterons

The antineutrino-induced disintegration of the deuteron was sought using the antineutrino flux from a production reactor at the Savannah River Plant and a liquid scintillation detector, with a negative result. An upper limit of 4×${10}^{-45\mathrm{}}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^2$ was placed on the interaction cross section as compared with present predictions of 2×${10}^{-45\mathrm{}}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^2$ for this cross section. Suggestions are given for improving this experimental limit.