Nuclear Fusion Based Neutron Sources

Abstract

This review reports an overview for DT/DD fusion based neutron sources, such as sealed portable neutron generators employing solid-targets, portable neutron generators based on inertial electrostatic confinement of plasmas, and relatively large stationary devices employing either solid-or gas-target with higher intensities. Though less intense than accelerator based neutron sources making use of other nuclear reactions, the DT/DD fusion based compact neutron sources with typically <1 m in length and <20cm in diameter are useful for some specific purposes with their distinct advantages such as portability, minimal gamma-ray byproducts, ability to provide mono-energetic neutrons, and tagged neutrons enabling three-dimensionally spatial resolved analyses. A next generation gas-target based volumetric neutron source has been proposed to extend its capability of neutron yield in excess of 10 15 neutrons/sec in a compact configuration ~6 m in length for application to testing fusion reactor materials.