Negative ion-driven associated particle neutron generator [Negative Ion-Based Associated Particle Neutron Generator]
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
We describe an associated particle neutron generator that employs a negative ion source to produce high neutron flux from a small source size. Furthermore, negative ions produced in an rf-driven plasma source are extracted through a small aperture to form a beam which bombards a positively biased, high voltage target electrode. Electrons co-extracted with the negative ions are removed by a permanent magnet electron filter. The use of negative ions enables high neutron output (100% atomic ion beam), high quality imaging (small neutron source size), and reliable operation (no high voltage breakdowns). Finally, the neutron generator can operate in either pulsed or continuous-wave (cw) mode and has been demonstrated to produce 106 D-D n/s (equivalent to similar to 108 D-T n/s) from a 1 mm-diameter neutron source size to facilitate high fidelity associated particle imaging.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States); Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000; AC05-00OR22725
- OSTI ID:
- 1344467
- Alternate ID(s):
- OSTI ID: 1324153; OSTI ID: 1359623
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-2015-5866J; PII: S0168900215011687
- Journal Information:
- Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, Vol. 806; ISSN 0168-9002
- Publisher:
- ElsevierCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Web of Science
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