Effect of Atomic-Molecular and Isotopic Composition of an Ion Beam on the Neutron Yield from Tamped Targets in Sealed Tubes

Abstract

A neutron generator with a sealed tube is a controlled electrophysical source of fast neutrons which is safe in the off state. A tritium- and deuterium-saturated target is bombarded by a beam of deuterium and tritium ions in order to obtain neutrons. The neutrons are formed in the reactions 3H(d, n)4He and 2H(d, n)3He. Generators are used in nuclear geophysics, inspection systems for detecting dangerous substances, thermonuclear research, and other fields of industry and science. A method is presented for calculating the neutron yield from the targets in sealed tubes in generators, taking account of the accelerating voltage, the atomic-molecular and isotopic composition of the ion beam, and the properties of the target. The computational method presented makes it possible to obtain the dependences of the neutron yield on the operating parameters of gas-filled sealed tubes. The expressions obtained can be used for almost all solid-state targets currently used in generators.