Magnetically insulated diode for generating pulsed neutron and gamma ray emissions
US4675145A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 16, 1984 |
| Grant date | Jun 23, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 16, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05H6/00
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A magnetically insulated diode employs a permanent magnet to generate a magnetic insulating field between a spaced anode and cathode in a vacuum. An ion source is provided in the vicinity of the anode and used to liberate ions for acceleration toward the cathode. The ions are virtually unaffected by the magnetic field and are accelerated into a target for generating an nuclear reaction. The ions and target material may be selected to generate either neutrons or gamma ray emissions from the reaction of the accelerated ions and the target. In another aspect of the invention, a field coil is employed as part of one of the electrodes. A plasma prefill is provided between the electrodes prior to the application of a pulsating potential to one of the electrodes. The field coil multiplies the applied voltage for high diode voltage applications. The diode may be used to generate a .sup.7 Li(p,.gamma.).sup.8 Be reaction to produce 16.5 MeV gamma emission.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.