Design of a linear neutron source

•This paper reports the design of a linear neutron source based on inertial electrostatic confinement fusion scheme.•The voltage and current that is to be applied to the grid is computed theoretically.•Neutron production rate is theoretically estimated and found to be of the order of 107–108 neutrons/s.•Electric potential distribution and ion trajectories are studied using SIMION code.•Optimized condition for the inner grid transparency has been found out.

In this paper, we present the design of a linear neutron source based on the concept of inertial electrostatic confinement fusion. The source mainly comprises of a concentric coaxial cylindrical grid assembly housed inside a double walled cylindrical vacuum chamber, a gas injection system, a high voltage feedthrough and a high voltage negative polarity power supply. The inner grid will be kept at a high negative potential with respect to the outer grid that will be grounded. The effect of grid transparency on electric potential distribution and ion trajectories has been studied using SIMION. A diffuse deuterium plasma will be initially created by making filament discharge and subsequently, on application of high negative voltage to the inner grid, deuterons will be accelerated towards the axis of the device. These deuterons will oscillate in the negative potential and consequently fuse in between the grids to produce neutrons. This source is expected to produce 107–108 neutrons/s. The proposed linear neutron source will be operated both in the continuous and pulse modes and it will be utilized for a few near term applications namely fusion reactor material studies and explosive detection.