Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
1826254 Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment 2011 4 Pages PDF
Abstract

We demonstrate a compact 14.1 MeV neutron source by which deuterons are accelerated into a tritiated target via the action of a pyroelectric crystal. At the ion currents we measured, the expected flux is about 3×105 neutrons per second. Although our measured flux was much less than expected, spectral analysis of the neutron signal unambiguously verified a 14.1 MeV neutron signal far above background. The experimental fusion rate is limited by surface flashover and the time development of a surface barrier on the target due to chemical contamination. Various improvements in the, management of flashover originating from triple points and stabilization of field ionization tips are discussed.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Physics and Astronomy Instrumentation
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