Product: DT internal target, OEM (NEW PRODUCT)

Generator type	Type and model number(s)	Specifications
	D-T, internal target, sealed, OEM DT108.1-OEM (1x108 n/s D-T)	Yield: Up to 1x108 n/s D-T Spot size: nominally 10 mm

Summary of the D-T, internal target OEM generator

This new product is desiged to be a stand-alone unit requiring power and a minimum of control lines.

Overview of Adelphi's D-T neutron generators

All of Adelphi’s neutron generators operate using a microwave driven Electron Cyclotron Resonance (ECR) ion source. Ions produced in the ion source are accelerated towards a target. The ions implant into the target. Subsequent ions can collide with ions that have been embedded in the target. When accelerated by a sufficiently high voltage, these ions can undergo nuclear fusion, leading to several nuclear reactions. The two relevant reactions for Adelphi’s neutron generators are:

• D+D=He-3 + n (2.45 MeV)
• D+T=He-4 + n (14.1 MeV)

D denotes deuterium, T denotes Tritium, “He” indicates a helium nucleus either the isotopes He-3 or He-4, ndenotes a neutron and the energy of the neutron is stated in MeV. Generators that contain tritium produce neutrons with a higher energy than those that only contain deuterium gas. This leads to different penetrating power, imagingcontrast,and different activation of elements due to the difference in collision cross sections of elements (isotopes) as a function of energy.

The ions are produced in the ion chamber when the microwave source is energized. The RF source can be either pulsed or operated Continuous Wave (CW). Minimum pulse lengths of 50 microseconds have been achieved.

D-T generators produce the more penetrating 14.1 MeV neutrons and this class of generator is more suited to certain activation measurements and to certain Fast Neutron Radiography (FNR) applications. If the ultimate goal is to produce thermal neutrons, most customers prefer to use D-D generators, and either add a moderator to their generator on the exterior surface, or buy a dedicated thermal neutron generator that contains a moderator within the generator’s body. D-T generators could be used, but the distance over which the 14.1 MeV neutrons moderate is much larger than the lower energy 2.45 MeV neutrons from the D-D reaction.

Adelphi only offers sealed neutron generators that contain tritium because tritium is a radioactive gas and the tritium needs to b

e safely contained within the generator. In these generators the Deuterium-Tritium gas mixture is preloaded into the generator. Tritium has a half-life of 12.3 years so eventually the tritium will need to be replaced, even if the generator is not used. The generator head may be returned to Adelphi for reloading. This is a straightforward process with a turnaround of a few days.

Adelphi’s D-T 110.2 product provides both a high yield (neutrons/second) and a high flux (neutrons/cm²/sec) so is particularly well suited to applications such as radiation damage testing.

In sealed generators the generators come with the gas reservoir pre-loaded into a Non-Evaporable Getter (NEG). It is important for D-T generators to be sealed because tritium is a radioactive gas. The gas is entirely contained within the sealed generator envelope. You will be able to tell that the generator contains tritium because the energy of the neutrons and the yield per milliamp of ion current are higher for D-T generators than D-D generators.

We offer D-D and D-T products that are sealed. In Adelphi’s sealed neutron generator designs, the target is typically placed on the surface of the neutron generators (grounded target). .