FAST BURST AND STEADY-STATE INTENSE NEUTRON SOURCE
First Claim
1. A system for producing a high flux of neutrons, the system comprising:
- a dense plasma focus device having an input end and an output end, the dense plasma focus device including a cylindrical cathode;
a cylindrical anode disposed within and concentric to the cathode;
an insulator provided between portions of the cathode and the anode, the insulator disposed proximate to the input end of the dense plasma focus device; and
a chamber bounded by the cathode and the anode, the chamber being pressurized with a fill gas; and
a fission assembly neutronically coupled to the dense plasma focus device,wherein the fission assembly is a subcritical or a sub-prompt critical fission assembly, andwherein the dense plasma focus device is a source of initiating neutrons for the fission assembly, and the fission assembly is configured to multiply a number of the initiating neutrons via inducing fission.
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Abstract
A first system for producing a high flux of neutrons for non-destructive testing includes a dense plasma focus device neutronically coupled to a subcritical or sub-prompt critical fission assembly. The dense plasma focus device is a source of initiating neutrons for the fission assembly, and the fission assembly is configured to multiply a number of the initiating neutrons via inducing fission. A second system for producing a high flux of neutrons includes a gas-target neutron generator neutronically coupled to a subcritical or sub-prompt critical fission assembly. The gas-target neutron generator is a source of initiating neutrons for the fission assembly, and the fission assembly is configured to multiply a number of the initiating neutrons via inducing fission.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system for producing a high flux of neutrons, the system comprising:
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a dense plasma focus device having an input end and an output end, the dense plasma focus device including a cylindrical cathode; a cylindrical anode disposed within and concentric to the cathode; an insulator provided between portions of the cathode and the anode, the insulator disposed proximate to the input end of the dense plasma focus device; and a chamber bounded by the cathode and the anode, the chamber being pressurized with a fill gas; and a fission assembly neutronically coupled to the dense plasma focus device, wherein the fission assembly is a subcritical or a sub-prompt critical fission assembly, and wherein the dense plasma focus device is a source of initiating neutrons for the fission assembly, and the fission assembly is configured to multiply a number of the initiating neutrons via inducing fission. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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5. (canceled)
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13. A system for producing a high flux of neutrons, the system comprising:
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a gas-target neutron generator including an ion source configured to produce an ion beam; an accelerator configured to accelerate the ion beam to produce an accelerated ion beam; a plurality of focus elements configured to focus the accelerated ion beam in an x-direction and a y-direction; and a pumping/gas-target section including a gas target chamber filled with a target gas; and a fission assembly neutronically coupled to the gas-target neutron generator, wherein the fission assembly is a subcritical or a sub-prompt critical fission assembly, wherein the fission assembly surrounds the gas target chamber, and wherein the gas-target neutron generator is a source of initiating neutrons for the fission assembly, and the fission assembly is configured to multiply a number of the initiating neutrons via inducing fission. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification