Characterization of a deuterium–deuterium plasma fusion neutron generator

R. F. Lang; J. Pienaar; E. Hogenbirk; D. Masson; R. Nolte; A. Zimbal; S. Röttger; M. L. Benabderrahmane; G. Bruno

doi:10.1016/j.nima.2017.10.001

Characterization of a deuterium–deuterium plasma fusion neutron generator

R. F. Lang, J. Pienaar, E. Hogenbirk, D. Masson, R. Nolte, A. Zimbal, S. Röttger, M. L. Benabderrahmane, G. Bruno

Physics

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Abstract

We characterize the neutron output of a deuterium–deuterium plasma fusion neutron generator, model 35-DD-W-S, manufactured by NSD/Gradel-Fusion. The measured energy spectrum is found to be dominated by neutron peaks at 2.2 MeV and 2.7 MeV. A detailed GEANT4 simulation accurately reproduces the measured energy spectrum and confirms our understanding of the fusion process in this generator. Additionally, a contribution of 14.1MeV neutrons from deuterium–tritium fusion is found at a level of 3.5%, from tritium produced in previous deuterium–deuterium reactions. We have measured both the absolute neutron flux as well as its relative variation on the operational parameters of the generator. We find the flux to be proportional to voltage V^3.32±0.14 and current I^0.97±0.01. Further, we have measured the angular dependence of the neutron emission with respect to the polar angle. We conclude that it is well described by isotropic production of neutrons within the cathode field cage.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	31-38
Number of pages	8
Journal	Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Volume	879
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2017.10.001
State	Published - Jan 21 2018

Keywords

Deuterium–deuterium fusion
Inertial electrostatic confinement
Neutron generator

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Nuclear and High Energy Physics
Instrumentation

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10.1016/j.nima.2017.10.001

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Lang, R. F., Pienaar, J., Hogenbirk, E., Masson, D., Nolte, R., Zimbal, A., Röttger, S., Benabderrahmane, M. L., & Bruno, G. (2018). Characterization of a deuterium–deuterium plasma fusion neutron generator. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 879, 31-38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2017.10.001

Lang, RF, Pienaar, J, Hogenbirk, E, Masson, D, Nolte, R, Zimbal, A, Röttger, S, Benabderrahmane, ML & Bruno, G 2018, 'Characterization of a deuterium–deuterium plasma fusion neutron generator', Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, vol. 879, pp. 31-38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2017.10.001

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title = "Characterization of a deuterium–deuterium plasma fusion neutron generator",

abstract = "We characterize the neutron output of a deuterium–deuterium plasma fusion neutron generator, model 35-DD-W-S, manufactured by NSD/Gradel-Fusion. The measured energy spectrum is found to be dominated by neutron peaks at 2.2 MeV and 2.7 MeV. A detailed GEANT4 simulation accurately reproduces the measured energy spectrum and confirms our understanding of the fusion process in this generator. Additionally, a contribution of 14.1MeV neutrons from deuterium–tritium fusion is found at a level of 3.5%, from tritium produced in previous deuterium–deuterium reactions. We have measured both the absolute neutron flux as well as its relative variation on the operational parameters of the generator. We find the flux to be proportional to voltage V3.32±0.14 and current I0.97±0.01. Further, we have measured the angular dependence of the neutron emission with respect to the polar angle. We conclude that it is well described by isotropic production of neutrons within the cathode field cage.",

keywords = "Deuterium–deuterium fusion, Inertial electrostatic confinement, Neutron generator",

author = "Lang, {R. F.} and J. Pienaar and E. Hogenbirk and D. Masson and R. Nolte and A. Zimbal and S. R{\"o}ttger and Benabderrahmane, {M. L.} and G. Bruno",

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year = "2018",

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doi = "10.1016/j.nima.2017.10.001",

language = "English (US)",

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T1 - Characterization of a deuterium–deuterium plasma fusion neutron generator

AU - Lang, R. F.

AU - Pienaar, J.

AU - Hogenbirk, E.

AU - Masson, D.

AU - Nolte, R.

AU - Zimbal, A.

AU - Röttger, S.

AU - Benabderrahmane, M. L.

AU - Bruno, G.

PY - 2018/1/21

Y1 - 2018/1/21

N2 - We characterize the neutron output of a deuterium–deuterium plasma fusion neutron generator, model 35-DD-W-S, manufactured by NSD/Gradel-Fusion. The measured energy spectrum is found to be dominated by neutron peaks at 2.2 MeV and 2.7 MeV. A detailed GEANT4 simulation accurately reproduces the measured energy spectrum and confirms our understanding of the fusion process in this generator. Additionally, a contribution of 14.1MeV neutrons from deuterium–tritium fusion is found at a level of 3.5%, from tritium produced in previous deuterium–deuterium reactions. We have measured both the absolute neutron flux as well as its relative variation on the operational parameters of the generator. We find the flux to be proportional to voltage V3.32±0.14 and current I0.97±0.01. Further, we have measured the angular dependence of the neutron emission with respect to the polar angle. We conclude that it is well described by isotropic production of neutrons within the cathode field cage.

AB - We characterize the neutron output of a deuterium–deuterium plasma fusion neutron generator, model 35-DD-W-S, manufactured by NSD/Gradel-Fusion. The measured energy spectrum is found to be dominated by neutron peaks at 2.2 MeV and 2.7 MeV. A detailed GEANT4 simulation accurately reproduces the measured energy spectrum and confirms our understanding of the fusion process in this generator. Additionally, a contribution of 14.1MeV neutrons from deuterium–tritium fusion is found at a level of 3.5%, from tritium produced in previous deuterium–deuterium reactions. We have measured both the absolute neutron flux as well as its relative variation on the operational parameters of the generator. We find the flux to be proportional to voltage V3.32±0.14 and current I0.97±0.01. Further, we have measured the angular dependence of the neutron emission with respect to the polar angle. We conclude that it is well described by isotropic production of neutrons within the cathode field cage.

KW - Deuterium–deuterium fusion

KW - Inertial electrostatic confinement

KW - Neutron generator

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ER -

Characterization of a deuterium–deuterium plasma fusion neutron generator

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