Monochromatic 5ns Pulse High Intensity Neutron Source

Recently, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has shown that short pulses (~5 ns) can greatly simplify detection algorithms and enhance safety. Busek proposes to leverage its expertise in ion thrusters to produce a pulsed H ion injector with approximately 100:1 temporal compression of the pulse. This reduces the current density requirement on the plasma ion source. Busek is teamed with Dr. William Nunnally, who has developed, in conjunction with LLNL, both Stacked Blumlein Layer (SBL) accelerators and compensated SiC switches to trigger the SBL. Our baseline geometry has the switches integrated with the SBL. Dr. Nunnally will assist Busek in modeling and constructing an efficient SBL accelerator for this particular application. Busek will utilize its materials and power processing electronics expertise to develop and demonstrate the injector/accelerator/target system. Phase I will demonstrate the pulse compression and pulse duration while accelerating ions to appropriate energy, but for cost and safety reasons will not produce neutrons. Phase II will scale up the accelerator current and will produce neutron pulses of the desired energy, pulse duration, flux and spatial distribution.