Neutron generation using pyroelectric crystals

A method for producing neutrons for enabling identification of a threat, the method comprising:

• triggering a raising or a lowering of a temperature of a pyroelectric crystal of less than about 40° C. to produce a voltage of negative polarity of at least −100 keV on a surface of a deuterated or tritiated target coupled thereto,
• wherein a deuterium ion source is pulsed with the voltage to produce a deuterium ion beam,
• wherein the deuterium ion beam is accelerated via an electric field provided by the pyroelectric crystal toward the deuterated or tritiated target to produce neutrons,
• wherein the pyroelectric crystal, the deuterated or tritiated target, and the deuterium ion source are coupled to a common support;
• and
• positioning the common support coupled to the pyroelectric crystal, the deuterated or tritiated target, and the deuterium ion source toward the threat for enabling the identification of the threat.