Positron Source for Enhanced Endurance Platforms

Antimatter has the highest energy density of any potential fuel and, thus, is extremely attractive for advanced energy conversion applications such as enhanced endurance platforms. Positrons will be essential to any such system and positron sources that are substantially more powerful than those currently available will be required. First Point Scientific, Inc.(FPSI), in collaboration with the University of California, Riverside (UCR), proposes to develop a High Flux Positron Source (HFPS) for this and other important applications. The system will be based on the production of a high flux of the positron-emitting radioisotope nitrogen-13 produced by accelerating high-energy deuterons onto a carbon target. The Phase II project will include (1) procurement of a 1.5 MeV accelerator; (2) development of a shielded isotope production chamber; and (3) system characterization and optimization to maximize the positron output. In addition, depending on supplemental funding, FPSI will: (1) demonstrate a high performance moderator on the HFPS to produce high fluxes of slow positrons; and (2) test the HFPS with the accelerator upgraded to 5 MeV. Successful completion of this project will provide a firm foundation to proceed with the development of the advanced power source required for critical defense applications.