Neutron accelerator tube having improved ionization section

Patent · Tue Aug 04 04:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:6115569

Givens, W W

A neutron accelerator tube is described haing a target section, an ionization section, and a replenisher section for supplying accelerator gas to the ionization section. The ionization section is located between the target and the replenisher section and includes an ionization chamber adapted to receive accelerator gas from the replenisher section. The ionization section further includes spaced cathodes having opposed active surfaces exposed to the interior of the ionization chamber. The active surface of at least one of the cathodes is formulated of a beta - emitting material. An anode is located intermediate the cathodes whereby in response to an applied positive voltage, electrons are transmitted between the opposed active surfaces of the cathodes and produce the emission of secondary electrons. The active surface of the other cathode may be formulated of a beta - ray emitter or of material having a secondary electron emission factor of at least 2. One cathode member located in the tube adjacent to the replenisher section may have a protuberant portion extending axially into the ionization chamber and formulated of a beta - ray emitting material. A portion of the active surface of the cathode which is recessed with respect to the protuberant portion may be formulated of a material having a secondary electron emission factor of at least 2. The other cathode spaced from the first cathode member in the direction of the target has an aperture therein along the axis of the protuberant portion.

• Assignee: Mobil Corp
• Patent Number(s): US 4282440
• OSTI ID: 6115569
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS
430100 -- Particle Accelerators-- Design
Development
& Operation
430301 -- Particle Accelerators-- Ion Sources
440400* -- Well Logging Instrumentation
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
ACCELERATORS
BETA DECAY
BETA-MINUS DECAY
DECAY
DESIGN
ELECTRODES
ELECTRON EMISSION
EMISSION
FLUIDS
GASES
IONIZATION
IONIZATION CHAMBERS
LINEAR ACCELERATORS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
NEUTRON LOGGING
NEUTRON SOURCES
PARTICLE SOURCES
RADIATION DETECTORS
RADIATION SOURCES
RADIOACTIVITY LOGGING
TARGETS
WELL LOGGING