Field desorption ion source development for neutron generators

Solano, I.; Reichenbach, Birk; Schwoebel, P. R.; Chichester, David L.; Holland, C.E.; Hertz, Kristin L.; Brainard, James R.

doi:10.1016/j.nima.2007.12.015

Cited by 22 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…3b. The results from initial testing of this device have been previously reported [8]. The Si 3 N 4 shield continues to be a design feature, as seen in Fig.…”

Section: Array Fabrication Evolutionmentioning

confidence: 53%

“…2 shows the experimental arrangement for the imaging atom probe configuration in which the target in Fig. 1 has been replaced with a chevron type channel electron multiplier array (CEMA) ion detector [8]. The CEMA output is projected onto a P-47 phosphor screen and the signal viewed with a photomultiplier tube.…”

Section: Experimental Apparatus and Proceduresmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The ion source array structure is shown schematically in Fig. 1, and has been described in detail previously [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Field ion source development for neutron generators

Johnson

Schwoebel

Holland

et al. 2012

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A:

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An ion source based on the principles of electrostatic field desorption is being developed to improve the performance of existing compact neutron generators. The ion source is an array of gated metal tips derived from field electron emitter array microfabrication technology. A comprehensive summary of development and experimental activities is presented. Many structural modifications to the arrays have been incorporated to achieve higher tip operating fields, while lowering fields at the gate electrode to prevent gate field electron emission which initiates electrical breakdown in the array. The latest focus of fabrication activities has been on rounding the gate electrode edge and surrounding the gate electrode with dielectric material. Array testing results have indicated a steady progression of increased array tip operating fields with each new design tested. The latest arrays have consistently achieved fields beyond those required for the onset of deuterium desorption ($ 20 V/nm), and have demonstrated the desorption of deuterium at fields up to 36 V/nm. The number of ions desorbed from an array has been quantified, and field desorption of metal tip substrate material from array tips has been observed for the first time. Gas-phase field ionization studies with $ 10,000 tip arrays have achieved deuterium ion currents of $ 50 nA. Neutron production by field ionization has yielded $ 10 2 n/s from $ 1 mm 2 of array area using the deuterium-deuterium fusion reaction at 90 kV.

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“…3b. The results from initial testing of this device have been previously reported [8]. The Si 3 N 4 shield continues to be a design feature, as seen in Fig.…”

Section: Array Fabrication Evolutionmentioning

confidence: 53%

Section: Experimental Apparatus and Proceduresmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Field ion source development for neutron generators

Johnson

Schwoebel

Holland

et al. 2012

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A:

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“…An ion can be produced if the electron gains sufficient energy to field-ionize gas molecules during a collision. Typical electric fields at the emitter required for field ionization are on the order of 1 -4 V/Å [2].…”

Section: Field Emission Arraysmentioning

confidence: 99%

A piezoelectrically driven ion diode neutron source for active interrogation

Norgard

Kovaleski

VanGordon

et al. 2012

2012 IEEE International Power Modulator and High Voltage Conference (IPMHVC)

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Research and development are being conducted into the production of neutrons from a piezoelectric transformer power source. The neutrons generated by the piezoelectric transformer (PT) may eventually be used for portable active interrogation technologies or gas and oil well diagnostics. The University of Missouri program ties together several independent areas of focus, including ion source development, PT characterization and optimization, and PT-compatible high voltage diagnostics. The neutron source was based on the well known D-D collision interaction, during which free energy and a neutron are released. An ion source is under development that optimizes ion emission current through structural changes in the emission surface characteristics. A PT-based accelerator is under development to evaluate ion beam characteristics and circuit dynamics under resonant operating conditions. A suite of diagnostics are under development to directly and indirectly measure circuit parameters including voltage and current, as well as parameters accessible using optical techniques.

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“…Research in this area will be motivated mostly by security applications. [371][372][373] Better Performance AP-ENG Detectors Research is underway to improve the performance of high-resolution scintillator-based particle detectors and solidstate detectors for use in AP-ENGs. In addition, work is also underway to develop better data readout electronics for these systems.…”

Section: Expansion Of Eng Use To Replace Radioisotope Neutron Sourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Production and applications of neutrons using particle accelerators

Chichester

2009

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Advances in neutron science have gone hand in hand with the development and of particle accelerators from the beginning of both fields of study. Early accelerator systems were developed simply to produce neutrons, allowing scientists to study their properties and how neutrons interact in matter, but people quickly realized that more tangible uses existed too. Today the diversity of applications for industrial accelerator-based neutron sources is high and so to is the actual number of instruments in daily use is high, and they serve important roles in the fields where they're used. This chapter presents a technical introduction to the different ways particle accelerators are used to produce neutrons, an historical overview of the early development of neutron-producing particle accelerators, a description of some current industrial accelerator systems, narratives of the fields where neutron-producing particle accelerators are used today, and comments on future trends in the industrial uses of neutron producing particle accelerators.

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Field desorption ion source development for neutron generators

Cited by 22 publications

References 15 publications

Field ion source development for neutron generators

Field ion source development for neutron generators

A piezoelectrically driven ion diode neutron source for active interrogation

Production and applications of neutrons using particle accelerators

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