A 14 MeV Neutron Source Capable of Delivering a 1000 Rad Dose Uniformly over a 6 X 6-Foot Area

Abstract

This papey describes some aspects of a feasibility study on a high flux, large area 14 MeV neutron generator. The purpose of this study was to provide a preliminary design of a 14 MeV neutron generator capable of uniformly delivering a 1000-rad doselo a 6 x 6-foot target. A source of about 2 × 1013 14 MeV neutrons per second for four hours yields a 1000-rad dose with a uniformity of ten per cent to a 6 × 6-foot target located ten feet from the source. There are numerous charged particle reactions capable of yielding significant numbers of 14 MeV neutrons, but the requirement for mono-energetic 14 MeV neutrons precluded all reactions but the (d-T) reaction. The 14 MeV neutrons are produced by a 250 mA deuteron beam with 250 keV energy impinging on an 18-inch diameter tritiated-titanium target. The use of a large area tritiated-titanium target makes target cooling and depletion problems manageable.