Intense 3 ns neutron source

Abstract

A 3 ns pulsed beam-target neutron source has been developed to simulate a thermonuclear neutron burst from an inertial confinement fusion target. The yield from the neutron source is equivalent to an isotropic source producing ∼3×106 D–D and ∼2×107 D–T neutrons into 4 π steradians per pulse. The unique features of this source include simplicity of design, ease of operation, multiple shot capability, and above all compactness which permits easy portability and in situ applications. The use of these sources for characterizing the impulse response of heavily shielded scintillation neutron time-of-flight detectors operating in the mean-level detection mode is discussed.