FIELD EMISSION ION SOURCE NEUTRON GENERATOR
First Claim
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1. A neutron generator comprising:
- a housing configured for incorporation in a subsurface logging tool, the housing defining an ion source chamber;
a gas source configured to deliver ionizable gas to the ion source chamber; and
a field emitter array configured to deliver charged particles to the ion source chamber for interacting with the ionizable gas to produce ions usable for a fusion reaction that results in neutron emission from the neutron generator, the field emitter array comprising multiple nano-emitters.
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Abstract
A well logging tool includes a neutron generator having an ion source cathode comprising a nano-structure field emission (FE) array for producing a charged particle current routed through an ionizable gas, thus generating ions by electron impact ionization of the gas. The nanostructures can be provided by bundles of silicon nanotips grown on a substrate. The FE array can be provided on an axially facing substrate located co-axially in an elongate housing, with the charged particle current directed from the centrally located FE array to a co-axial annular anode and having axial and radial directional components.
19 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A neutron generator comprising:
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a housing configured for incorporation in a subsurface logging tool, the housing defining an ion source chamber; a gas source configured to deliver ionizable gas to the ion source chamber; and a field emitter array configured to deliver charged particles to the ion source chamber for interacting with the ionizable gas to produce ions usable for a fusion reaction that results in neutron emission from the neutron generator, the field emitter array comprising multiple nano-emitters. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method comprising:
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incorporating a neutron generator in a subsurface logging tool, the neutron generator having a housing that defines an ion source chamber; delivering an ionizable gas to the ion source chamber; causing a field emitter array comprising multiple nano-emitters to deliver energetic charged particles to the ion source chamber, thereby causing ion production in the ion source chamber; and using the ions in a fusion reaction that results in neutron emission from the neutron generator. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A subsurface logging tool comprising:
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a body configured for location in a borehole; and a neutron generator housed by the body for generating and emitting energetic neutrons, the neutron generator comprising a housing that defines an ion source chamber; a gas source configured to deliver ionizable gas to the ion source chamber; and a field emitter array configured to deliver energetic ions to the ion source chamber for interacting with the ionizable gas to produce ions usable for a fusion reaction that results in neutron emission from the neutron generator, the field emitter array comprising multiple nano-emitters.
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Specification