Measurement of neutron yield and angular distribution for D-T neutron generator by neutron activation analysis method

Appl Radiat Isot. 2020 Feb:156:108971. doi: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2019.108971. Epub 2019 Nov 6.

Abstract

To measure the neutron yield of D-T neutron generator, the activation foils of iron, copper and aluminum were used to be irradiated in the neutron field. The 14.1 MeV neutron yield was deduced by counting the characteristic γ-rays of radioisotopes produced by five nuclear reactions [56Fe(n,p)56Mn, 65Cu(n,2n)64Cu, 63Cu(n,2n)62Cu, 27Al(n,α)24Na, 27Al(n,p)27Mg]. The relationship between the neutron yield and the deuteron beam energy, beam current of the D-T neutron generator was measured by the BF3 proportional counter and the fluctuation of neutron yield under specified parameters was evaluated. Eleven activated iron foils were used to measure 14.1 MeV neutron yield at different angles of D-T neutron generator. The direction with the highest neutron flux is 30-45 along the beam direction and the neutron flux decreases gradually with the increase of angle. The measurements of neutron yield, stability and angular distribution of D-T neutron generator are significant for improving the accuracy of neutron activation analysis and neutron irradiation efficiency, as well as optimizing the neutron shielding design.

Keywords: Angular distribution; D-T neutron generator; Neutron activation; Neutron yield.