X-Ray Measurements Of A Thermo Scientific P385 DD Neutron Generator

Journal Article · Wed Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 2011 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3586158· OSTI ID:21513415

Wharton, C J; Seabury, E H; Chichester, D L; Caffrey, A J ^[1]; Simpson, J; Lemchak, M ^[2]

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1. Idaho National Laboratory, 2525 N. Freemont Avenue, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83415 (United States)
2. Thermo-Fisher Scientific/MF Physics, 5074 List Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80919 (United States)

Idaho National Laboratory is experimenting with electrical neutron generators, as potential replacements for californium-252 radioisotopic neutron sources in its PINS prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) system for the identification of military chemical warfare agents and explosives. In addition to neutron output, we have recently measured the x-ray output of the Thermo Scientific P385 deuterium-deuterium neutron generator. X rays are a normal byproduct from neutron generators, but depending on their intensity and energy, x rays can interfere with gamma rays from the object under test, increase gamma-spectrometer dead time, and reduce PGNAA system throughput. The P385 x-ray energy spectrum was measured with a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector, and a broad peak is evident at about 70 keV. To identify the source of the x rays within the neutron generator assembly, it was scanned by collimated scintillation detectors along its long axis. At the strongest x-ray emission points, the generator also was rotated 60 deg. between measurements. The scans show the primary source of x-ray emission from the P385 neutron generator is an area 60 mm from the neutron production target, in the vicinity of the ion source. Rotation of the neutron generator did not significantly alter the x-ray count rate, and its x-ray emission appears to be axially symmetric. A thin lead shield, 3.2 mm (1/8 inch) thick, reduced the 70-keV generator x rays to negligible levels.

• OSTI ID: 21513415
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 1336, Issue 1; Conference: CAARI 2010: 21. International Conference on the Application of Accelerators in Research and Industry, Fort Worth, TX (United States), 8-13 Aug 2010; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.3586158; (c) 2011 American Institute of Physics; ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
AXIAL SYMMETRY
CALIFORNIUM 252
CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENTS
COUNTING RATES
DEAD TIME
DEUTERIUM
EMISSION
ENERGY SPECTRA
GAMMA RADIATION
GAMMA SPECTROMETERS
HIGH-PURITY GE DETECTORS
IMPURITIES
ION SOURCES
KEV RANGE 10-100
NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
NEUTRON GENERATORS
NEUTRONS
SCINTILLATION COUNTERS
X RADIATION
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BARYONS
CALIFORNIUM ISOTOPES
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ENERGY RANGE
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
FERMIONS
GE SEMICONDUCTOR DETECTORS
HADRONS
HEAVY NUCLEI
HYDROGEN ISOTOPES
IONIZING RADIATIONS
ISOTOPES
KEV RANGE
LIGHT NUCLEI
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
NEUTRON SOURCES
NONDESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS
NUCLEI
NUCLEONS
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
PARTICLE SOURCES
RADIATION DETECTORS
RADIATION SOURCES
RADIATIONS
RADIOISOTOPES
SEMICONDUCTOR DETECTORS
SPECTRA
SPECTROMETERS
SPONTANEOUS FISSION RADIOISOTOPES
STABLE ISOTOPES
SYMMETRY
TIMING PROPERTIES
WEAPONS
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES