Field ionization characteristics of an ion source array for neutron generators

Journal Article · Fri Nov 01 04:00:00 EDT 2013 · Journal of Applied Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4826111· OSTI ID:1120822

Johnson, B. Bargsten; Schwoebel, P. R.; Resnick, P. J.; Holland, C. E.; Hertz, L.; Chichester, D. L.

A new deuterium ion source is being developed to improve the performance of existing compact neutron generators. The ion source is a microfabricated array of metal tips with an integrated gate (i.e., grid) and produces deuterium ions by field ionizing (or field desorbing) a supply of deuterium gas. Deuterium field ion currents from arrays at source temperatures of 77?K and 293?K are studied. Ion currents from single etched-wire tips operating under the same conditions are used to help understand array results. I-F characteristics of the arrays were found to follow trends similar to those of the better understood single etched-wire tip results; however, the fields achieved by the arrays are limited by electrical breakdown of the structure. Neutron production by field ionization at 293?K was demonstrated for the first time from microfabricated array structures with integrated gates.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Laboratory (INL)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-05ID14517
• OSTI ID: 1120822
• Report Number(s): INL/JOU-14-31310
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics Journal Issue: 17 Vol. 114; ISSN 0021-8979
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
ion source array