Compact ion source neutron generator

摘要

A neutron generator includes a conductive substrate comprising a plurality of conductive nanostructures with free-standing tips and a source of an atomic species to introduce the atomic species in proximity to the free-standing tips. A target placed apart from the substrate is voltage biased relative to the substrate to ionize and accelerate the ionized atomic species toward the target. The target includes an element capable of a nuclear fusion reaction with the ionized atomic species to produce a one or more neutrons as a reaction by-product.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a conductive substrate; a plurality of conductive nanostructures with free-standing tips disposed on the conductive substrate, the plurality of conductive nanostructures comprising nanostructures selected from a group consisting of gallium arsenide nanostructures, silicon carbide nanostructures, and silicon nanostructures; a source configured to introduce a gas species proximate the free-standing tips of the plurality of conductive nanostructures; a target electrode positioned apart from the conductive substrate, the target electrode configured to be biased relative to the substrate to ionize the gas species and to accelerate ionized gas species toward the target electrode, the target electrode comprising an element capable of a nuclear fusion reaction with the ionized gas species and configured to generate one or more neutrons as a reaction by-product; and a vacuum chamber enclosing the conductive substrate and the target electrode.