The 8th International Conference on Matter and Radiation at Extremes (ICMRE2025)

7 / 2025-02-15 17:12:56

Inertial Electrostatic Confinement Chamber Based Neutron Generator

Inertial Electrostatic Confinement,Fast neutron generator,Fusion,Electric discharge chamber,High voltage

Inertial electrostatic confinement (IEС) systems are one of the most common installations in which nuclear fusion reactions are carried out to solve various applied tasks. When using reactions on hydrogen isotopes to produce continuous neutron fluxes with controllable parameters, this approach fulfills modes with a gas-plasma neutron-forming target and accelerated ions oscillating through it, which provides stability and a high service life [1].

The report presents the results of studies of the IEC gas discharge chamber used as a neutron emitter. The main characteristics of the discharge are given, which are realized in practice and allow obtaining operating modes with

various neutron fluxes up to 10⁸ neutr./s The operation of the IEC chamber as part of a laboratory set up of a neutron generator is considered. During the tests, stable regimes with periods of continuous operation from 6 to 9 hours with generating neutrons with an average neutron flux (1.0 ÷ 1.7) ·10⁸ neutr./s, demonstrated stable operation over long periods of time.

Based on the conducted research and experimental results [2], a neutron generator with a neutron emitter based on an IEC chamber has been developed.

[1] Neutron Generator System Design Report for Zurich University Neutron Facility. NSD-Fusion Tech. Note NSD-188 Issue 1, Version C 8-1-2010 for Christian Regenfus, University of Zurich. CERN. 2010;

[2] Prokuratov I. A., Mikhailov Yu. V., Lemeshko B. D., Il’ichev I. V., Dulatov A. K. and Tupina O. D. Inertial electrostatic plasma confinement chamber as a source of continuous neutron flux with an energy of 14 MeV. XXXIX Fortov International Conference on Equations of State for Matter (ELBRUS 2024). March 1 – 6, 2024, Elbrus, Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia.