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US 2006/0140326 A1Published application
Portable low energy neutron source for high sensitivity material characterization
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of CA
InventorsMark Rowland, Wolfgang Stoeffl, Robert Hamm
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Abstract
A source of low energy neutrons based on a combination of unique technology has resulted in a man-portable package suitable for field use. This source of low energy neutrons produces a forward directed beam to permit local control and it is electrically activated so there is no radiation hazard when it is turned off for transport and relocation.
Claims20
A method of producing neutrons, comprising:
- bleeding hydrogen gas into a cavity through an opening at a first end, wherein said cavity further comprises an orifice at a second end an an antenna inside said cavity;
- exciting said hydrogen gas with adjustable frequency RF power from an adjustable RF linear amplifier, wherein said frequency is adjusted to maximize the production of ionized protons within said cavity;
- providing an electrostatic field across said cavity from said first end to said second end, wherein said first end is negative and said second end is positive, wherein ionized protons will drift in the direction of said second end and through said orifice, wherein an ion accelerator is operatively connected to said cavity to receive said ions as they pass through said orifice;
- differentially vacuum pumping across said orifice, wherein the vacuum on the cavity side of said orifice is not as evacuated as the cavity on the accelerator side of said orifice;
- accelerating said ionized protons with the voltage output of a solid state linear RF generator;
- adjusting the frequency output of said solid state linear RF generator to maximize the number of accelerated protons;
- and
- directing said accelerated protons onto lithium coated silver target to produce neutrons, wherein said target is thermally connected to radial cooling fins.
5 more elements
A neutron source, comprising:
- a cavity;
- means for bleeding hydrogen gas into said cavity through an opening at a first end, wherein said cavity further comprises an orifice at a second end an an antenna inside said cavity;
- an adjustable RF linear amplifier for exciting said hydrogen gas, wherein said frequency is adjusted to maximize the production of ionized protons within said cavity;
- means for providing an electrostatic field accross said cavity from said first end to said second end, wherein said first end is negative and said second end is positive, wherein ionized protons will drift in the direction of said second end and through said orifice, wherein an ion accelerator is operatively connected to said cavity to receive said ions as they pass through said orifice;
- means for differentially vacuum pumping across said orifice, wherein the vacuum on the cavity side of said orifice is not as evacuated as the cavity on the accelerator side of said orifice;
- a solid state linear RF generator to provide a voltage for accelerating said ionized protons;
- means for adjusting the frequency output of said solid state linear RF generator to maximize the number of accelerated protons;
- and
- a lithium coated silver target to produce neutrons, an means for directing said accelerated protons onto said target, wherein said target is thermally connected to radial cooling fins.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.