Ion extraction and acceleration device for reducing the re-acceleration of secondary electrons in a high-flux neutron tube
US5112564A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 4, 1989 |
| Grant date | May 12, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 4, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05H3/06
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A device is set forth for the extraction and acceleration of ions in a high flux sealed neutron tube containing a low-pressure gaseous deuterium-tritium mixture, where an ion source (12) supplies several ion beams (3a, 3b, . . . 3e) which are projected onto a target electrode (4) by means of an extraction and acceleration system in order to produce therein a fusion reaction which causes an emission of neutrons. In accordance with the invention, an additional electrode (13) is arranged in the vicinity of and downstream from the final acceleration electrode (2) in the tube space between the final acceleration electrode and the target, the acceleration electrode as well as the additional electrode being connected to a potential which is chosen with respect to that of the target so that the secondary electrons created by ionization of the gas along the path of the beams are repelled, thus enabling the length of the space to increased so as to achieve a substantial reduction of the non-uniformity of the ion bombardment on the target, thus increasing the service life of the tube.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.