Neutron generator

Neutron generators are devices which contain compact linear accelerators and that produce neutrons by fusing isotopes of hydrogen together. The fusion reactions take place in these devices by accelerating either deuterium, tritium, or a mixture of these two isotopes into a metal hydride target which also contains either deuterium, tritium or a mixture. Fusion of deuterium atoms (D + D) results in the formation of a He-3 ion and a neutron with a kinetic energy of approximately 2.5 MeV. Fusion of a deuterium and a tritium atom (D + T) results in the formation of a He-4 ion and a neutron with a kinetic energy of approximately 14.1 MeV.

Thousands of such small, relatively inexpensive systems have been built over the past five decades.

Alternative neutron generator technologies

Another type of innovative neutron generator is offered by a start-up company in Germany: NSD-Fusion. This neutron generator differs from the conventional ion beam onto solid target types because it avoids using a solid target which will be eroded. Originally called a fusor, it was invented by Philo Farnsworth, the inventor of electronic television, and is often referred to as inertial electrostatic confinement fusion. The fusor remained largely ignored until the 1990s when its commercial potential was recognized and improvements made to enhance the characteristics as a neutron generator for industry.

In February 2006, researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute demonstrated the use of dual thermally cycled, oppositely polled pyroelectric crystals to generate high electric fields in a neutron generator application. Using this inventive power supply a high electric field gradient was generated across an accelerating gap which was used to accelerate deuterium ions into a deuterated target to produce the D + D fusion reaction. See pyroelectric fusion [1]

See also

• Fast neutron
• Nuclear fission
• Nuclear fusion
• Neutron sources
• Neutron moderator
• Radioactive decay
• Radioactivity
• Slow neutron

External links

• Compact Accelerator Neutron Generators, AIP, The Industrial Physicist

Organizations that manufacture neutron generators

• Baker Hughes , Baker Hughes (USA)
• EADS SODERN , EADS SODERN (France)
• Halliburton, Halliburton (USA)
• NSD-Fusion, NSD-Fusion (Germany)
• Sandia National Laboratories , Sandia National Laboratories (USA)
• Schlumberger, Schlumberger (USA)
• Thermo Electron Corporation, Thermo Electron Corporation (USA)
• VNIIA, VNIIA All Russia Research Institute of Automatics (Russia)