High-yield D–T neutron generator

Ludewigt, B.; Wells, R.; Reijonen, J.

doi:10.1016/j.nimb.2007.04.246

Cited by 32 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…The required beam current density was extracted at a moderate microwave power of 400 W at the desired low gas pressures. This compares favorably with the power requirements (∼ 1500 W) of a previously developed RF-driven source [9,1]. It was further found that the use of an aluminumnitride vacuum window led to an approximately 30% higher extracted beam current than measured for a quartz window.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 57%

“…1) was developed at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to address the needs of homeland security, non-proliferation, and nuclear safeguards applications. This generator was designed to produce high neutron yields, exceeding 5 · 10 11 n/s in D-T operation and reaching about ∼ 1·10 10 n/s in D-D operation [1] when operating at 100 kV acceleration voltage and a 100 mA beam current impinging on a beam-loaded neutron production target. A V-shaped target geometry in combination with beam extraction from the ion source through a large 60 · 6 mm 2 slit serves to distribute the beam current and heat load over a larger area for better cooling of the target surface.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Initial testing of the generator was performed in D-D operation. While the RF-driven ion source was capable of providing the high beam current [1] the lifetime of the source was limited due to frequent sputtering. In recent years permanent-magnet microwave ion sources were developed [2]- [5] that offer significant advantages.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Permanent-Magnet Microwave Ion Source For A Compact High-Yield Neutron Generator

Waldmann¹,

Ludewigt²

2011

AIP Conference Proceedings

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We present recent work on the development of a microwave ion source that will be used in a high-yield compact neutron generator for active interrogation applications. The sealed tube generator will be capable of producing high neutron yields, 5·10 11 n/s for D-T and ∼ 1·10 10 n/s for D-D reactions, while remaining transportable. We constructed a microwave ion source (2.45 GHz) with permanent magnets to provide the magnetic field strength of 87.5 mT necessary for satisfying the electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) condition. Microwave ion sources can produce high extracted beam currents at the low gas pressures required for sealed tube operation and at lower power levels than previously used RF-driven ion sources. A 100 mA deuterium/tritium beam will be extracted through a large slit (60 · 6 mm 2 ) to spread the beam power over a larger target area. This paper describes the design of the permanent-magnet microwave ion source and discusses the impact of the magnetic field design on the source performance. The required equivalent proton beam current density of 40 mA/cm 2 was extracted at a moderate microwave power of 400 W with an optimized magnetic field.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 57%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Permanent-Magnet Microwave Ion Source For A Compact High-Yield Neutron Generator

Waldmann¹,

Ludewigt²

2011

AIP Conference Proceedings

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“…Titanium coating on copper can also be used for nuclear waste assay applications in which deuterium or tritium can be stored in titanium (Csikai 1987). When bombarded with accelerated deuterium ions, the trapped gases in the coating can undergo fusion and the high energy neutrons thus emitted (Ludewigt et al 2007) may be utilized to assess the amount of fissile material present in the nuclear waste from a power plant. The heat generated during the process is conducted away by the water cooled copper substrate.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Structural characteristics of titanium coating on copper substrates

et al. 2011

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The growth characteristics of titanium films deposited on glass, silicon (100) and oxygen free high purity copper substrate using magnetron sputtering have been investigated using X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy and scratch indentation techniques. The study of interface between the titanium film and the substrate was carried out to determine coating thickness, as well as intermixing of the elements at the interface. Studies revealed that the interface is free from voids and intermixing of the film and the substrate. Microstructural and diffraction analysis showed that the Ti coating was polycrystalline and exhibited columnar growth. The Ti crystallite size varied between 24 and 58 nm depending on the substrate. The thickness of the films were typically about 4 μm. Scratch test indicated that the films are adherent and the first critical load to failure was observed to be 4·5 N ± 2 N.

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“…Neutron generators that utilize rf-driven plasma ion sources have been developed at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) [1][2][3][4][5][6]. These neutron generators are useful in the interrogation of cargo or luggage containers, which may contain explosives, contraband, or special nuclear materials.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics of a RF-Driven Ion Source for a Neutron Generator Used for Associated Particle Imaging

Wu¹,

Hurley²,

Ji³

et al. 2009

AIP Conference Proceedings

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Abstract. We present recent work on a prototype compact neutron generator for associated particle imaging (API). API uses alpha particles that are produced simultaneously with neutrons in the deuterium-tritium ( 2 D( 3 T,n) 4 α) fusion reaction to determine the direction of the neutrons upon exiting the reaction. This method determines the spatial position of each neutron interaction and requires the neutrons to be generated from a small spot in order to achieve high spatial resolution. The ion source for API is designed to produce a focused ion beam with a beam spot diameter of 1-mm or less on the target. We use an axial type neutron generator with a predicted neutron yield of 10 8 n/s for a 50 μA D/T ion beam current accelerated to 80 kV. The generator utilizes a RF planar spiral antenna at 13.56 MHz to create a highly efficient inductively-coupled plasma at the ion source. Experimental results show that beams with an atomic ion fraction of over 80% can be obtained while utilizing only 100 watts of RF power in the ion source. A single acceleration gap with a secondary electron suppression electrode is used in the tube. Experimental results, such as the current density, atomic ion fraction, electron temperature, and electron density, from ion source testing will be discussed.

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High-yield D–T neutron generator

Cited by 32 publications

References 9 publications

A Permanent-Magnet Microwave Ion Source For A Compact High-Yield Neutron Generator

A Permanent-Magnet Microwave Ion Source For A Compact High-Yield Neutron Generator

Structural characteristics of titanium coating on copper substrates

Characteristics of a RF-Driven Ion Source for a Neutron Generator Used for Associated Particle Imaging

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