COMPOUND ISOTOPE TARGET ASSEMBLY FOR PRODUCTION OF MEDICAL AND COMMERCIAL ISOTOPES BY MEANS OF SPECTRUM SHAPING ALLOYS

摘要

A neutron generator and method of using the same to produce commercial and medical isotopes. Isotopes are transmuted using fission spectrum neutrons produced in neutron multiplier alloys proximate a target isotope. The produced neutron fission spectrum is tailored or shaped by alloys disposed between the multiplier alloys and the target isotope. The tailoring alloys selectively convert the neutron fission spectrum to a nearly coherent distribution of selected high energy, fast, epithermal, or thermal neutrons. The tailoring alloys are engineered to slow the fission spectrum neutrons to the resonance energies of the selected target isotopes through scattering or hydriding of selected components of high temperature aluminum alloys that optimize neutron capture in engineered target alloys.