Characterization of neutron emission during pulse mode of low output electronic neutron generator

Abstract

The paper deals with the characterization of the neutron output during operation the neutron generator in the pulsing mode. The characterization is performed by a cadmium covered He-3 detector. First, the adequacy of a cadmium covered He-3 detector to study the pulsed mode operation of neutron generator is assessed using Monte Carlo simulations in MCNP6 code. Second, the pulsing mode operation of the D-D P-385 Thermo Fisher Scientific neutron generator with a maximal neutron output of 7 x 106 n/s is studied. The study shows the dependence of neutron emission and pulse shapes on the frequency, duty factor, high voltage and beam current.

Keywords

• portable neutron generators
• pulse characterisation