Journal of Nuclear Science, Engineering and Technology (JONSAT)
In cooperation with the Iranian Nuclear Society

Design and construction of a solid target with a cooling system to investigate the surface fusion phenomenon

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

A. Kargaryan
M. Ghapanvari
M. Sedaghat
A. Aslezaeem
A. Bagheri

Plasma and Nuclear Fusion Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, AEOI, P.O. Box: 14399-51113, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.24200/nst.2022.1453
Abstract
In this paper, in order to investigate the surface fusion phenomenon in an industrial neutron generator, a solid target with cooling capability was designed and constructed. The first step to achieving this goal is to thoroughly investigate the material and thickness of the layers and substrates suitable for use as solid targets for industrial neutron generators, using SRIM-code simulations. Then, using the simulation results, samples of the solid target were constructed by the sputtering coating method. In addition, due to the importance of the target temperature and its effect on surface fusion, the cooling system using COMSOL multiple physics simulation software, was designed and built. In addition, to insulate the high voltage applied to the target which is in contact with the cooling system, various electrical insulators were studied and suitable insulation was selected, designed, and manufactured. Then, to test the solid targets and their side parts, a suitable vacuum system was designed and constructed. Finally, after designing and constructing all the parts, the system was assembled and set up for final testing. In deuterium filling gas tests, the neutron flux was measured using the LB6411, 3He detector. At around 25 kV voltage and 20 mA current, we were able to detect neutrons with the rate of 6 × 105 n/s, which was a sign of success. This amount of neutron production indicates duplication of the neutron rate produced by the surface fusion phenomenon.

Highlights

1. J.M. Elizondo-Decanini, et al., Novel Surface-Mounted Neutron Generator, IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci., 40, 2145 (2012).

 

2. J. Reijonen, et al., D-D neutron generator development at LBNL, Appl. Radiat. Isot., 63, 757 (2005).

 

3.  B.A. Ludewigt, R.P. Wells, J. Reijonen, High-yield D–T neutron generator, Nucl Instrum Meth B, 261, 830 (200).

 

4. D. Totsuka, et al., Performance test of Si PIN photodiode line scanner for thermal neutron detection, Nucl Instrum Meth A, 659, 399 (2011).‏

 

5. K. Yoshikawa, et al., Research and development of a compact discharge-driven D–Dfusion neutron source for explosive detection, Nucl Instrum Meth B, 261, 299 (2007).

 

6. R.W. Bussard, Waste Transmutation by High Flux DT Fusion Neutrons from Inertial Electrostatic Fusion (IEF) Systems, Global 1993 International Conference and Technology Exhibition on Future Nuclear Systems, Sep. 12-17, (1993).

 

7. K.N. Leunga, J.K. Leung, G. Melville, Feasibility study on medical isotope production using a compact neutron generator, Appl. Radiat. Isot, 137, 23 (2018).

 

8. K.N. Leung, et al., A High Intensity Multi-Purpose DD Neutron Generator for Nuclear Engineering Laboratories, REPORT: No. DOE/ID/14606. University of California at Berkeley, (2005).

 

9. K. Bergaoui, et al., Development of a new deuterium–deuterium (D–D) neutron generator for prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis, Appl. Radiat. Isot, 94, 319 (2014).

 

10. J. Csikai, CRC Handbook of Fast Neutron Generators, CRC Press, Boca Raton (1987).

 

11. R. Bowden-Reid, et al., Evidence for surface fusion in inertial electrostatic confinement devices, Phys. Plasmas, 25, 112702 (2018).

 

12. J. Csikai, et al., Production of solid deuterium targets by ion implantation, Nucl. Instr. Meth. Phys. Res. A, 397, 75 (1997).

 

13. M. Mayer, SIMNRA, a Simulation Program for the Analysis of NRA, RBS and ERDA, In: J.L. Duggan, I.L. Morgan (Eds.), Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on the Application of Accelerators in Research and Industry, American Institute of Physics Conference Proceedings, 475, 541 (1999).

 

14. COMSOL, COMSOL Multiphysics Heat Transfer  Module User’s Guide version 5.3a (2017).

Keywords

Fusion surface
Cooling target
Fast neutrons
SRIM software
Camsol software
1. J.M. Elizondo-Decanini, et al., Novel Surface-Mounted Neutron Generator, IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci., 40, 2145 (2012).
 
2. J. Reijonen, et al., D-D neutron generator development at LBNL, Appl. Radiat. Isot., 63, 757 (2005).
 
3.  B.A. Ludewigt, R.P. Wells, J. Reijonen, High-yield D–T neutron generator, Nucl Instrum Meth B, 261, 830 (200).
 
4. D. Totsuka, et al., Performance test of Si PIN photodiode line scanner for thermal neutron detection, Nucl Instrum Meth A, 659, 399 (2011).‏
 
5. K. Yoshikawa, et al., Research and development of a compact discharge-driven D–Dfusion neutron source for explosive detection, Nucl Instrum Meth B, 261, 299 (2007).
 
6. R.W. Bussard, Waste Transmutation by High Flux DT Fusion Neutrons from Inertial Electrostatic Fusion (IEF) Systems, Global 1993 International Conference and Technology Exhibition on Future Nuclear Systems, Sep. 12-17, (1993).
 
7. K.N. Leunga, J.K. Leung, G. Melville, Feasibility study on medical isotope production using a compact neutron generator, Appl. Radiat. Isot, 137, 23 (2018).
 
8. K.N. Leung, et al., A High Intensity Multi-Purpose DD Neutron Generator for Nuclear Engineering Laboratories, REPORT: No. DOE/ID/14606. University of California at Berkeley, (2005).
 
9. K. Bergaoui, et al., Development of a new deuterium–deuterium (D–D) neutron generator for prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis, Appl. Radiat. Isot, 94, 319 (2014).
 
10. J. Csikai, CRC Handbook of Fast Neutron Generators, CRC Press, Boca Raton (1987).
 
11. R. Bowden-Reid, et al., Evidence for surface fusion in inertial electrostatic confinement devices, Phys. Plasmas, 25, 112702 (2018).
 
12. J. Csikai, et al., Production of solid deuterium targets by ion implantation, Nucl. Instr. Meth. Phys. Res. A, 397, 75 (1997).
 
13. M. Mayer, SIMNRA, a Simulation Program for the Analysis of NRA, RBS and ERDA, In: J.L. Duggan, I.L. Morgan (Eds.), Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on the Application of Accelerators in Research and Industry, American Institute of Physics Conference Proceedings, 475, 541 (1999).
 
14. COMSOL, COMSOL Multiphysics Heat Transfer  Module User’s Guide version 5.3a (2017).
Journal of Nuclear Science, Engineering and Technology (JONSAT)
Volume 43, Issue 3 - Serial Number 101
October 2022
Pages 113-123

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