On the Possibility of Creating a Point-Like Neutron Source

• Published in: Radiophysics and quantum electronics Vol. 60; no. 10; pp. 779 - 785
• Main Authors: Golubev, S. V., Skalyga, V. A., Izotov, I. V., Sidorov, A. V., Razin, S. V., Shaposhnikov, R. A., Lapin, R. L., Bokhanov, A. F., Kazakov, M. Yu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.03.2018; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Astronomy; Astrophysics and Astroparticles; Bombardment; Cyclotron resonance; Deuterium; Electromagnetic radiation; Electron cyclotron resonance; Emittance; Hadrons; Heavy Ions; Ion beams; Lasers; Magnetic resonance; Mathematical and Computational Physics; Neutrons; Nuclear Physics; Nuclear reactors; Observations and Techniques; Optical Devices; Optics; Photonics; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Quantum Optics; Theoretical; Tritium
• ISSN: 0033-8443; 1573-9120
• DOI: 10.1007/s11141-018-9846-y

We consider the possibility of creating a compact high-power neutron generator with a small emitting area (of the order of 100 μ m) and a neutron yield of 10 10 s −1 on the basis of a deuterium–deuterium fusion reaction (or 10 12 s −1 on the basis of a deuterium–tritium fusion reaction). The fusion takes place under bombardment of a deuterium- (or tritium-) saturated target by a high-current (about 100 mA) focused deuterium ion beam with an energy of ~ 100 keV. The ion beam with total current at a level of hundreds of milliamperes and small emittance (less than 0.1 π·mm·mrad), which is crucial for sharp focusing, can be generated by a quasi-gas-dynamic ion source of a new generation created on the basis of a discharge in an open magnetic trap sustained by high-power electromagnetic radiation of the millimeter wavelength range under electron cyclotron resonance conditions. Simulations of the focusing system for the experimentally obtained ion beam show the possibility to create a deuterium ion beam with a transverse size of 200 μ m on the neutron-forming target. Prospects for using such a neutron source for neutron tomography are discussed.