Neutron interrogation systems using pyroelectric crystals and methods of preparation thereof

US9723704B2 · 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: Aug 12, 2009
• Grant date: Aug 1, 2017
• Expiry date: May 3, 2036

Classification

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

Abstract

According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a pyroelectric crystal, a deuterated or tritiated target, an ion source, and a common support coupled to the pyroelectric crystal, the deuterated or tritiated target, and the ion source. In another embodiment, a method includes producing a voltage of negative polarity on a surface of a deuterated or tritiated target in response to a temperature change of a pyroelectric crystal, 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 a voltage of the pyroelectric crystal and/or an HGI surrounding the pyroelectric crystal. The directionality of the neutron beam is controlled by changing the accelerating voltage of the system. Other apparatuses and methods are presented as well.