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Title: Plasma driven neutron/gamma generator

Abstract

An apparatus for the generation of neutron/gamma rays is described including a chamber which defines an ion source, said apparatus including an RF antenna positioned outside of or within the chamber. Positioned within the chamber is a target material. One or more sets of confining magnets are also provided to create a cross B magnetic field directly above the target. To generate neutrons/gamma rays, the appropriate source gas is first introduced into the chamber, the RF antenna energized and a plasma formed. A series of high voltage pulses are then applied to the target. A plasma sheath, which serves as an accelerating gap, is formed upon application of the high voltage pulse to the target. Depending upon the selected combination of source gas and target material, either neutrons or gamma rays are generated, which may be used for cargo inspection, and the like.

Inventors:
;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1171637
Patent Number(s):
8,971,473
Application Number:
12/992,188
Assignee:
Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)
DOE Contract Number:  
AC02-05CH11231
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 2009 Jun 09
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY

Citation Formats

Leung, Ka-Ngo, and Antolak, Arlyn. Plasma driven neutron/gamma generator. United States: N. p., 2015. Web.
Leung, Ka-Ngo, & Antolak, Arlyn. Plasma driven neutron/gamma generator. United States.
Leung, Ka-Ngo, and Antolak, Arlyn. 2015. "Plasma driven neutron/gamma generator". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1171637.
@article{osti_1171637,
title = {Plasma driven neutron/gamma generator},
author = {Leung, Ka-Ngo and Antolak, Arlyn},
abstractNote = {An apparatus for the generation of neutron/gamma rays is described including a chamber which defines an ion source, said apparatus including an RF antenna positioned outside of or within the chamber. Positioned within the chamber is a target material. One or more sets of confining magnets are also provided to create a cross B magnetic field directly above the target. To generate neutrons/gamma rays, the appropriate source gas is first introduced into the chamber, the RF antenna energized and a plasma formed. A series of high voltage pulses are then applied to the target. A plasma sheath, which serves as an accelerating gap, is formed upon application of the high voltage pulse to the target. Depending upon the selected combination of source gas and target material, either neutrons or gamma rays are generated, which may be used for cargo inspection, and the like.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1171637}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Mar 03 00:00:00 EST 2015},
month = {Tue Mar 03 00:00:00 EST 2015}
}

Works referenced in this record:

Neutron tubes
patent, March 2008


Secondary electron suppression in nitrogen plasma ion implantation using a low DC magnetic field
journal, April 2007


Sealed neutron tube
patent, October 2000


Ion beam processing apparatus
patent, May 1998