What question did this study set out to answer?

To develop a metric for assessing isotopic non-equilibrium in materials from UAP events.

March 15, 2026Open Access

Isotopic Drift Index (D₈ₒ₎): Quantifying Non-Equilibrium Signatures in Recovered UAP Materials

Key Points

To develop a metric for assessing isotopic non-equilibrium in materials from UAP events.
Introduced Isotopic Drift Index for quantifying isotopic non-equilibrium.
Used NanoSIMS to identify non-equilibrium formation signatures.
Illustrated the metric using 1957 Ubatuba magnesium fragment data.
Isotopic Drift Index values exceeding 0.5 challenge conventional industrial melt-phase mixing.
Demonstrated applicability for characterizing Interstellar Object during Jovian periapsis window.

Abstract

This paper introduces the Isotopic Drift Index (DisoD₈ₒ₎ Diso), a standardized, theory-agnostic metric for quantifying isotopic non-equilibrium in materials recovered from Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) events. Current forensic protocols prioritize functional component identification, potentially overlooking non-equilibrium formation signatures detectable by NanoSIMS. DisoD₈ₒ₎ Diso quantifies spatial gradients in isotopic ratios relative to terrestrial standards, with values exceeding 0. 5 falsifying conventional industrial melt-phase mixing. The metric is illustrated using published data from the 1957 Ubatuba magnesium fragment (Diso=0. 769D₈ₒ₎ = 0. 769 Diso=0. 769), and proposed as a falsifiable predictive tool for characterizing Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS during the May 2026 Jovian periapsis window. Disclosure: USPTO Provisional 63/929, 089 filed regarding this methodology.

Isotopic Drift Index (D₈ₒ₎): Quantifying Non-Equilibrium Signatures in Recovered UAP Materials

Key Points

Abstract

Cite This Study