Novel nuclear reactions observed in bremsstrahlung-irradiated deuterated metals

d-D nuclear fusion events were observed in an electron-screened, deuterated metal lattice by reacting cold deuterons with hot deuterons (d*) produced by elastically scattered neutrons originating from bremsstrahlung photodissociation (where ``d'' and ``D'' denote ²H). Exposure of deuterated materials (ErD₃ and TiD₂) to photon energies in the range of 2.5--2.9 MeV resulted in photodissociation neutrons that were below 400 keV and also the 2.45-MeV neutrons consistent with ²H(d,0.16em0exn)³He fusion. Additionally, neutron energies of approximately 4 and 5 MeV for TiD₂ and ErD₃ were measured, consistent with either boosted neutrons from kinetically heated deuterons or Oppenheimer-Phillips stripping reactions in the highly screened environment. Neutron spectroscopy was conducted using calibrated lead-shielded liquid (EJ-309) and plastic (stilbene) scintillator detectors. The data support the theoretical analysis in a companion paper, predicting fusion reactions and subsequent reactions in the highly screened environment.