Los Alamos and Duke University scientists replicated a 1938 experiment by Arthur Ruhlig, revealing the first documented observation of deuterium-tritium (DT) fusion. Ruhlig's overlooked discovery, initially reported in Physical Review, was confirmed using modern equipment. This rediscovery sheds light on the early history of nuclear physics and DT fusion's role in energy and defense technologies. The replication validates Ruhlig's conclusion that DT fusion is highly probable, though his original estimate of the reaction rate was slightly off.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.