Pyroelectric crystal D-D and D-T neutron generators

Abstract

Pyroelectric neutron generators are a recent development utilizing the pyroelectric effect to produce an accelerating electric field and thus enabling creation of small electron and ion accelerators without external high voltage power supply. The principle of operation includes a pyroelectric crystal (LiTaO3 for example) placed in vacuum and simple heating (or cooling) of the crystal to cause a change in polarization. The change in polarization creates free charges on the faces of the clyndrical z-cut crystal and due to its small capacitance this creates a high potential between one crystal face to the other which is placed at ground potential. To produce neutrons the crystal is placed in low pressure deuterium gas and when the crystal is heated or cooled it ionizes the gas and accelerates deuterium ions towards a deuterated or tritated target. A configuration with two crystals can double the acceleration potential and thus increase neutron production. When operating such a device x-rays with energy over 200 keV about 105 neutrons per heating cycle can be produced. Research is focused on improving the neutron yield, the emission reproducibility, and shortening the heating cycle. Neutron generators based on this technology can be made small portable and relatively cheap compared to sealed tube technology. Further development is needed in order to increase the neutron yield closer to the theoretical limit for a specific crystals size.