Summary of Sandia research on metal tritides : FY 2007.

Abstract

Sandia National Laboratories has cradle to grave responsibility for all neutron generators in the US nuclear weapons stockpile. As such, much research effort is exerted to develop a comprehensive understanding of all the major components of a neutron generator. One of the key components is the tritium containing target. The target is a thin metal tritide film. Sandia's research into metal tritides began in the early 1960's with a collaboration with the 3 Denver Research Institute (DRI) and continues to this day with a major in house research effort.This document is an attempt to briefly summarize what is known about the aging of erbium tritide and to review the major publications conducted at Sandia in FY 07. First, a review of our knowledge of helium in erbium tritide will be presented. Second, executive summaries of the six major SAND reports regarding neutron tube targets published in FY07 by Department 2735, the Applied Science and Technology Maturation Department, and research partners are presented. 4 AcknowledgmentOver the past five years a major demographic change has occurred amongst the researchers responsible for the science and technology of neutron generators. The seasoned researchers have given way to a newer generation. This work would not have been possible without the effort of the earlier generation who exhibited tremendous insight and technical capabilities. Their measurements and work form the basis of what we are trying to accomplish. Of necessity the early work was phenomenological, simply attempting to categorize the nature and magnitude of the effects of tritium in metals. With this understanding in place and with modern characterization techniques we are now able to begin unraveling the fundamental physics and chemistry of this complex field. We dedicate this work to them, the pioneers of metal tritide science.