Compact, energy efficient neutron source: Enabling Technology for Thorium Breeder and Accelerator Transmutation of Waste

Background To fulfill need for large flux neutron sources, presently utilized and/or proposed large flux neutron sources are either nuclear reactor based or accelerator based. First method has shortcomings: in radioactive waste generation high proliferation risk. Accelerator based spallation neutron sources are complex, expensive and use large amounts of power. Method A novel neutron source comprising of a deuterium beam (energy of about 100 KeV) injected into a tube filled with tritium gas and/or tritium plasma that generates D-T fusion reactions, whose products are 14.06 MeV neutrons and 3.52 MeV alpha particles, is described. At the opposite end of the tube, the energy of deuterium ions that did not interact was recovered. Beryllium walls of appropriate thickness can be utilized to absorb 14 MeV neutrons and release 2 – 3 low-energy neutrons. Each ion source and tube forms a module. Larger systems can be formed using multiple units. Results Calculations indicate that this method is feasible and has multiple advantages. Relevance: among the possible applications of this neutron source concept are subcritical nuclear breeder reactors and transmutation of radioactive waste. Conclusion Due to its simplicity the idea can be tested using an inexpensive tabletop experiment.