Development of compact D-D neutron generator

Abstract

In recent years, due to specific features of compact neutron generators, their demand in elemental analysis and detection of the illicit materials has been increased in scientific community. Compact in size, controlled operation and radiation safety like features of neutron generator is suitable for research work with illicit materials. An accelerator based neutron generator can be operated in steady mode as well as in pulse mode. The main embodiment of this type of generator includes ion source, ion acceleration system and target. We are developing such type of neutron generator. This consists of one in-house developed penning ion source, a single electrode acceleration gap and one deuteriated titanium target or virgin titanium target. The neutron generator was operated at 80 kV acceleration potential, a deuterium pressure of 0.1 mTorr and ion source potential at 1 kV. The neutron generation was confirmed by the solid state nuclear track detector CR-39. In this report, we will discuss various physics and technical issues related to the important components of this generator, operation of the generator and neutron detection.