Patent · US Active

Method of using deuterium-cluster foils for an intense pulsed neutron source

US8526560B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
2References
35Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 8, 2012
Grant dateSep 3, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 8, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E30/10
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method is provided for producing neutrons, comprising: providing a converter foil comprising deuterium clusters; focusing a laser on the foil with power and energy sufficient to cause deuteron ions to separate from the foil; and striking a surface of a target with the deuteron ions from the converter foil with energy sufficient to cause neutron production by a reaction selected from the group consisting of D-D fusion, D-T fusion, D-metal nuclear spallation, and p-metal. A further method is provided for assembling a plurality of target assemblies for a target injector to be used in the previously mentioned manner. A further method is provided for producing neutrons, comprising: splitting a laser beam into a first beam and a second beam; striking a first surface of a target with the first beam, and an opposite second surface of the target with the second beam with energy sufficient to cause neutron production.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.