Compact neutron generators for the calibration of low background experiments

As Chepurnov,A A Kaplii,Mb Gromov,A N Oleinik,V Yu Ionidi,A S Kubankin,A V Shchagin,Ma Kirsanov,A Yu Maslenkina,D A Kolesnikov,A A Klenin,D A Selivanova

doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1390/1/012103

Abstract

In the coming years, the compact monoenergetic neutron generators (CNG) producing up to 104 n/s may become an alternative to the standard neutron sources based on radioactive isotopes for the calibrations of neutrino and dark matter detectors. Such neutron generators have a typical size of about several centimetres, they may be manufactured using low-background materials and may require only low voltage power supply for operation. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of two main types of the compact neutron generators, namely a pyroelectric neutron source and a high voltage neutron generator. Also the results of the technical analysis of the possibilities to apply such sources for the calibration of low-background experiments are given, the variant of the internal device design is shown and the full-size compact neutron generator prototype are presented.

Highlights

In the coming years, the compact monoenergetic neutron generators (CNG) producing up to 104 n /s may become an alternative to the standard neutron sources based on radioactive isotopes for the calibrations of neutrino and dark m atter detectors
The reaction results in the collision of an accelerated deuterium ion w ith a deuterated target
T he deuterium ions are produced as a result of ionization of th e residual gas D 2, which fills the cham ber under the pressure of a few mTorr

Summary

IOP Publishing

ASChepurnov 1, MBGromov 1,2, VYuIonidi 1, AAKaplii 3, M A K ir sanov 4, A A K le n in 3, D A K o le s n ik o v 3,5, ASKubankin 3,6, AYuMas le n k in a 4, A N O le in ik 3,7, D A S e liv anova 4, AVShchag in 3,5 1 Lomonosov Moscow State University Skobeltsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics, Leninskie gory 1(2), GSP-1, Moscow, 119234, Russia 2 Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Joliot-Curie 6, Dubna, Moscow region, 141980, Russia 3 Laboratory of Radiation Physics, Belgorod National State University, Koroleva 2a, Belgorod, 308034, Russia 4 National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Moscow Engineering Physics Institute), Kashirskoe highway 31, Moscow, 115409, Russia 5 Kharkov Institute of Physics and Technology, Akademicheskaya 1, Kharkov, 61108, Ukraine 6 Lebedev Physical Institute, Leninskiy Prospekt 53, Moscow, 119333, Russia 7 John Adams Institute at Royal Holloway, University of London, TW20 0EX, Egham, Surrey, United Kingdom

Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd

Wireless switching system preferable

Scintillation detecto r