Miniature Neutron Generator for Active Nuclear Materials Detection

• US 20100193685A1
• Filed: 06/29/2006
• Published: 08/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: University of Houston (University of Houston System)
• Original Assignee: University of Houston (University of Houston System)
• Inventors: Chu, Wei-kan, Liu, Jiarui
• Application Number:
  US11/993,684
• Publication Number:
  US 20100193685A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/306
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 3/06 Generating neutron beams targets for producing nuclear reactions H05H6/00; neutron sources G21G4/02
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 6/00 Targets for producing nuclear reactions supports for targets or objects to be irradiated G21K5/08 ; preparation of tritium C01B4/00; targets, e.g. pellets for fusion reactions by laser or charged particles beam injection H05H1/22
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 30/10 Nuclear fusion reactors

Abstract

This miniature neutron generator is for active detection of highly enriched uranium using a movable detection system. It is a small size, lightweight, low power consumption neutron generator with ease of operation and maintenance. The detector is based on a simplified ion source and ion transport system.

Claims

1. A neutron generator comprising:

a Deuterium gas filled chamber;

a high voltage power supply;

an field ionization ion source;

at least one of a CNT, NR, or multi-pin tungsten anode; and

a cathode.

2. The generator of claim 1, wherein the high voltage power supply is adapted to supply power between the anode and the cathode.

3. The generator of claim 1, wherein the cathode is a T-Ti thick target.

4. The generator of claim 1, wherein the field ionization source comprises at least one of CNT, NR, or tungsten multi-tips adapted to generate a high electric field.

5. The generator of claim 4, wherein the tungsten tips have a shank diameter of about 80 micrometers and a tip radius of about 100 nanometers.

6. The generator of claim 1, wherein the ionization source is a RF ionization source.

7. The generator of claim 1, further comprising a remote control.

8. The generator of claim 7, wherein the remote control is integrated with a detection system for data collection and analysis.

9. The generator of claim 1, wherein the generator weighs less than 10 kg.

10. A neutron generator comprising:

a Deuterium gas filled chamber;

a high voltage power supply of 125-150 kV;

an ionization source comprising tungsten tips;

an anode; and

a Tritium loaded Titanium thick target;

wherein the generator weighs less than 10 kg.

11. A method of detecting highly enriched Uranium associated with a target, the method comprising:

generating a field ionization of Deuterium by high voltage electric field;

providing an ion current;

accelerating the ions to hit the target to generate a Deuterium-Tritium reaction;

collecting the data; and

analyzing the data.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the ion beam is accelerated up to 125-150 kV.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the ion beam is accelerated up to 125-150 kV.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the high voltage electric field is generated using a high voltage power supply.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the high electric filed is generated using at least one of CNT, NR, or tungsten tips.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the ion current is provided using field ionization.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein a neutron yield is up to 10⁹ n/second.

18. A method of detecting highly enriched Uranium associated with a target, the method comprising:

generating a high voltage electric field using at least one of CNT, NR, or tungsten multi-tips;

providing an ion current using a field ionization source;

accelerating the ion current such that the ion current hits the target to generate Deuterium-Tritium neutrons, wherein the ion current is accelerated up to 125-150 kV;

collecting the data; and

analyzing the data.