Neutron generation using pyroelectric crystals

US11019717B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC · US

Inventors

• Vincent Tang · Dublin, US
• Glenn A. Meyer · Danville, US
• Steven Falabella · Livermore, US
• Gary Guethlein · Livermore, US
• Brian Rusnak · Livermore, US
• Stephen Sampayan · Manteca, US
• Christopher M. Spadaccini · Oakland, US
• Li-Fang Wang · Livermore, US
• John Richardson Harris · Monterey, US
• Jeff Morse · Westhampton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 28, 2016
• Grant date: May 25, 2021
• Expiry date: Nov 5, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G21G4/02
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a method for producing a directed neutron beam includes producing a voltage of negative polarity of at least −100 keV on a surface of a deuterated or tritiated target in response to a temperature change of a pyroelectric crystal of less than about 40° C., the pyroelectric crystal having the deuterated or tritiated target coupled thereto, pulsing a deuterium ion source to produce a deuterium ion beam, accelerating the deuterium ion beam to the deuterated or tritiated target to produce a neutron beam, and directing the ion beam onto the deuterated or tritiated target to make neutrons using at least one of a voltage of the pyroelectric crystal, and a high gradient insulator (HGI) surrounding the pyroelectric crystal. The directionality of the neutron beam is controlled by changing the accelerating voltage of the system. Other methods are presented as well.