Ion mobility based controlled isotope neutron source device and method of generating neutrons

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of neutron source technology, and particularly to a controllable isotope neutron source device based on ion migration and a method for generating neutrons. The device includes a casing, inside which are a target material module, a target ion migration system, a safety module, and an alpha particle source term. The target material module provides target nuclide ions. The alpha particle source term includes alpha radioactive nuclide material and target nuclide intercalation material. The safety module is composed of target nuclide intercalation material. The target ion migration system is connected to an external control field. Target nuclide ions migrate through the target ion migration system within the safety module and the alpha particle source term. This invention enables active controllability of the isotope neutron source, significantly improving safety. By ensuring sufficient contact between alpha particles and target nuclides to form a molecular intercalation structure, the (α,n) reaction efficiency is greatly improved. Furthermore, this neutron source can be used in combination with multiple modules according to application requirements, effectively increasing the neutron output flux.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of neutron source technology, and in particular to a controllable isotope neutron source device based on ion migration and a method for generating neutrons. Background Technology

[0002] Neutron sources are core components of neutron science research and application technologies. The rapid development of neutron applications has placed higher demands on the performance of neutron sources. Currently, mainstream neutron sources are mainly divided into three technical routes: one is radioactive isotope neutron sources, such as... 252 Neutron sources can be categorized into three types: first, Cf and Am-Be neutron sources; second, accelerator neutron sources, such as DD and DT accelerator neutron sources and spallation neutron sources; and third, reactor neutron sources, which produce a large number of neutrons through nuclear fission reactions. Each type of neutron source has its own advantages and applicable scenarios.

[0003] For neutron field applications that require portability, environmental adaptability, operational stability, and low operating costs, isotope neutron sources are a relatively ideal choice. However, traditional isotope neutron sources have significant drawbacks: firstly, they are uncontrollable, as the emission and cessation of isotope neutron sources cannot be actively controlled, and protection can usually only be achieved by adding shielding structures; secondly, their flux is limited, with the yield of isotope neutron sources being far lower than that of large neutron source devices, making it difficult to meet the needs of high-flux neutron applications. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a controllable isotope neutron source device based on ion migration and a method for generating neutrons, which can realize active controllability of the isotope neutron source and significantly improve the safety of use; by enabling α particles to fully contact the target nuclide and form a molecular intercalation structure, the (α,n) reaction efficiency is greatly improved; at the same time, the neutron source can be used in combination with multiple modules according to application requirements, effectively improving the neutron output flux.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a controllable isotope neutron source device based on ion migration, comprising a device shell, inside which are disposed a target material module, a target ion migration system, a safety assurance module, and an alpha particle source term. The target material module includes target nuclide material for providing target nuclide ions, and the alpha particle source term includes alpha radioactive nuclide material and target nuclide intercalation material for receiving and intercalating target nuclide ions. The safety assurance module is disposed between the target material module and the alpha particle source term and is composed of target nuclide intercalation material. The target ion migration system is disposed between the target material module and the safety assurance module and is connected to an external control field. Target nuclide ions migrate through the target ion migration system within the safety assurance module and the alpha particle source term.

[0006] Preferably, the device housing is made of a neutron-insensitive material to support and protect the internal components.

[0007] Stainless steel is the preferred non-sensitive material.

[0008] Preferably, the target nuclide material includes one or more of Be, B, F, Li or their compounds.

[0009] Preferably, the alpha radionuclide material includes 241 Am、 210 Po、 238 Pu、 244 Cm or one or more of its compounds.

[0010] Preferably, the target nuclide chimeric material includes one or more of carbon, indium, and silver.

[0011] Preferably, the target ion migration system includes one or more of a solid electrolyte, a liquid electrolyte, a gas ionization region, or a plasma region.

[0012] Preferably, the thickness of the safety protection module is greater than the range of the alpha particles.

[0013] Preferably, the external control field includes one of an electric field, a magnetic field, or an electromagnetic field.

[0014] The method for generating neutrons using the aforementioned controllable isotope neutron source device based on ion migration includes the following steps: S1. The external control field is activated, and the target ion migration system drives the directional migration of target nuclide ions in the target material module. S2, the target nuclide ions pass through the target ion migration system and the safety module in sequence and enter the alpha particle source term, forming an intercalation structure with the target nuclide intercalation material, and then react with the alpha particles emitted by the alpha radioactive nuclide material in (α,n) to produce and output neutrons; S3. The external control field is shut down, the target nuclide ions are removed from the alpha particle source term and return to the target material module. The safety module blocks the alpha particles from contacting the target nuclide, and the neutron output stops.

[0015] Mechanism of the invention: This invention applies an external electric, magnetic, or electromagnetic field to the target material module in a target ion migration system, causing target nuclide ions to migrate along a predetermined path under controlled conditions and embed into the α-particle source term to undergo an (α,n) reaction to produce neutrons. By controlling the migration of target nuclide ions, the neutron source can be controlled to turn on and off.

[0016] The present invention employs the above-described controllable isotope neutron source device based on ion migration and the method for generating neutrons, and has the following beneficial effects: (1) This invention drives the directional migration of target nuclide ions through an external control field, thereby achieving contact control between the target nuclide and the α particle source term, thus achieving the goal of controllable isotope neutron source, solving the problem of traditional isotope neutron source being unable to start or stop and continuously radiating, and significantly improving safety in use.

[0017] (2) The present invention changes the contact mode between the target material and the α source. When the target nuclide ions migrate to the α particle source term, they are embedded in the α particle source term to form a molecular structure, thereby reducing the self-shielding effect of the α particle source term and greatly improving the reaction rate.

[0018] (3) The neutron source device of the present invention generates neutrons only when the target nuclide ions migrate to the α particle source term. The thickness of the safety protection module is greater than the α particle range. When the neutron source is turned off, it can completely block the contact between the α particle and the target nuclide, forming physical isolation. No residual neutrons are generated, and the radiation protection is more reliable.

[0019] (4) This invention utilizes ion migration to control the contact between the target nuclide and the α particle, thereby controlling the reaction and making the isotope neutron source controllable, improving the safety of the isotope neutron source, and applicable to fields such as neutron imaging, neutron activation analysis, flaw detection, nuclear instrument calibration, oil well logging, and neutron-related scientific research.

[0020] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the layout of the controllable isotope neutron source device based on ion migration according to the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the normalized neutron flux excited by a single α particle when the lithium ion ratio is different in the α particle source term of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure label: 1. Device casing; 2. Target material module; 3. Target ion migration system; 4. Safety assurance module; 5. Alpha particle source term. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this invention should have the ordinary meaning understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The features mentioned above or in the specific examples mentioned in this invention can be combined arbitrarily, and these specific embodiments are only used to illustrate the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0023] This invention provides a controllable isotope neutron source device based on ion migration, comprising a device shell, inside which are arranged a target material module, a target ion migration system, a safety assurance module, and an alpha particle source term. The target material module includes target nuclide material for providing target nuclide ions, and the alpha particle source term includes alpha radioactive nuclide material and target nuclide intercalation material for receiving and intercalating target nuclide ions. The safety assurance module is disposed between the target material module and the alpha particle source term and is composed of target nuclide intercalation material. The target ion migration system is disposed between the target material module and the safety assurance module and is connected to an external control field. Target nuclide ions migrate through the target ion migration system within the safety assurance module and the alpha particle source term.

[0024] In this invention, the device housing is used to support and protect the internal components; the target material module is used to provide target nuclide ions that undergo (α,n) reactions; the α particle source term is used to provide α particles and form molecular structures with the target material; the safety protection module is used to ensure that the contact between α particles and target nuclide ions is blocked after the neutron source device is shut down; and the target ion migration system is used to realize the migration of target nuclide ions or α particles under the action of an external control field, so as to realize the contact between α particles and target nuclides, thereby realizing the start-up and shutdown of the neutron source device.

[0025] The neutron source device of the present invention is based on the (α,n) reaction, and the switching on and off of the neutron source can be controlled by controlling whether the α ions are in contact with the target nuclide ions.

[0026] Preferably, the device housing is made of a neutron-insensitive material to prevent neutron activation and to support and protect the internal components.

[0027] Stainless steel is the preferred non-sensitive material.

[0028] Preferably, the target nuclide material includes one or more of Be, B, F, Li or their compounds.

[0029] More preferably, the target nuclide material includes a lithium salt, which includes one of lithium cobalt oxide, lithium iron phosphate, lithium manganese oxide, and lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide.

[0030] Preferably, the alpha radionuclide material includes 241 Am、 210 Po、 238 Pu、 244 Cm or one or more of its compounds are used to emit alpha particles, the alpha particles being emitted in the 4π direction.

[0031] Preferably, the target nuclide chimeric material includes one or more of carbon, indium, and silver.

[0032] More preferably, the mass ratio of α-radioactive nuclide material to target nuclide chimeric material in the α-particle source term is 0.1:9 to 1:9.

[0033] Preferably, the target ion migration system includes one or more of a solid electrolyte, a liquid electrolyte, a gas ionization region, or a plasma region, for achieving directional migration of ions under the drive of an external field.

[0034] Preferably, the thickness of the safety protection module is greater than the range of the α particle. After the neutron source is turned off and the target nuclide ions return, the safety protection module can completely block the α particle from shooting from the α particle source term to the target material module, ensuring that no (α,n) reaction occurs.

[0035] Preferably, the external control field includes one of an electric field, a magnetic field, or an electromagnetic field.

[0036] The method for generating neutrons using the aforementioned controllable isotope neutron source device based on ion migration includes the following steps: S1. The external control field is activated, and the target ion migration system drives the directional migration of target nuclide ions in the target material module. S2, the target nuclide ions pass through the target ion migration system and the safety module in sequence and enter the alpha particle source term, forming an intercalation structure with the target nuclide intercalation material, and then react with the alpha particles emitted by the alpha radioactive nuclide material in (α,n) to produce and output neutrons; S3. The external control field is turned off, the target nuclide ions stop migrating and detach from the alpha particle source term, return to the target material module, the safety module blocks the alpha particles from contacting the target nuclide, and the neutron output stops.

[0037] The mechanism of directional migration of target nuclide ions in this invention is as follows: Under the directional drive of an applied electric, magnetic, or electromagnetic field, the target nuclide in the target material module is de-intercalated into target nuclide ions, which then acquire directional migration driving force under the influence of a control field. The target nuclide ions, via ion conduction or field-induced drift, pass through the target ion migration system along a preset path into the safety assurance module, and finally migrate into the interior of the alpha particle source term. There, they form a stable molecular-level intercalation structure with the target nuclide intercalation material, allowing the target nuclide to fully contact the alpha radionuclide, triggering the (α,n) reaction and producing neutrons.

[0038] When the external control field is removed, or an active discharge or a reverse control field is applied, the target nuclide ions, driven by the electrochemical potential gradient and the lattice embedding effect within the target nuclide material module, detach from the alpha particle source term and the safety module, and migrate back to the target material module along the original path to reset. At this point, the alpha particles are blocked by the safety module and cannot contact the target nuclide, the (α,n) reaction terminates, and neutron output stops.

[0039] Example 1 like Figure 1As shown, this invention provides a controllable isotope neutron source device based on ion migration, including a device shell 1, which is made of stainless steel and is cylindrical in shape. Inside the device shell 1 are a target material module 2, a target ion migration system 3, a safety module 4, and an alpha particle source term 5. The target material module 2 is formed by mixing and pressing lithium iron phosphate, carbon black, and a binder (95wt% polyethylene oxide and 5wt% LiTFSI) in a mass ratio of 8:1:1, with a thickness of 30μm, and is located at one end of the device shell 1. The alpha particle source term 5 is located at the other end of the device shell 1. The alpha particle source term 5 is composed of americium dioxide (… 241 AmO2 and indium are mixed uniformly at a mass ratio of 1:9 and then pressed into a mold with a thickness of 10μm.

[0040] A safety protection module 4 is positioned between the target material module 2 and the alpha particle source term 5. The safety protection module 4 is composed of a target nuclide intercalation material, specifically indium, and has a thickness of 20 μm, exceeding the range of the alpha particles. A target ion migration system 3 is also positioned between the target material module 2 and the safety protection module 4. The target ion migration system 3 uses a solid electrolyte, specifically lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide and polyethylene oxide, prepared in a molar ratio of 1:15, and has a thickness of 25 μm. The target ion migration system 3 is connected to an external electric field with a voltage range of 2–3.9 V. Target nuclide ions migrate through the target ion migration system 3 between the safety protection module 4 and the alpha particle source term 5.

[0041] The method for generating neutrons using the aforementioned controllable isotope neutron source device based on ion migration includes the following steps: S1. Turn on the external electric field, causing lithium-ion intercalation / deintercalation in target material module 2, Li + Driven by an electric field, it enters the target ion migration system 3.

[0042] S2, Li + Li sequentially passes through target ion migration system 3, safety module 4, and enters alpha particle source term 5. After entering alpha particle source term 5, Li... + It combines with the target nuclide chimeric material to form various alloy phases such as InLi, In2Li3, and In4Li5, and then with... 241 The alpha particles emitted by AmO2 undergo an (α,n) reaction, producing and releasing neutrons, which are emitted in the 4π direction.

[0043] S3. Turn off the external electric field and discharge to the outside. Li + After detaching from the alpha particle source term 5, the system returns to the target material module 2. At this point, the safety assurance module 4 does not contain Li. + (or contains only a small amount of Li) +Furthermore, its thickness is greater than the range of α particles in the target nuclide intercalation material. Therefore, α particles cannot penetrate the safety module 4 to bombard the metallic lithium in the target material module 2. The (α,n) reaction stops, and the neutron source is turned off.

[0044] Example 2 The difference from Example 1 is that the target nuclide material lithium iron phosphate in target material module 2 is replaced with lithium cobalt oxide, while the rest is the same as in Example 1.

[0045] Example 3 The difference from Example 1 is that the target nuclide material lithium iron phosphate in target material module 2 is replaced with lithium manganese oxide, while the rest is the same as in Example 1.

[0046] Example 4 The difference from Example 1 is that the target nuclide material lithium iron phosphate in target material module 2 is replaced with lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide, while the rest is the same as in Example 1.

[0047] The normalized neutron flux excited by a single alpha particle was measured using a neutron detector when the lithium ion content in the alpha particle source term of Example 1 was 0.1-1. Figure 2 As shown, when the lithium ion content of the target nuclide material in the alpha particle source term is 0.1%, the normalized neutron flux excited by a single alpha particle is approximately 2.8 × 10⁻⁶. -7 When the lithium-ion content of the target nuclide material is increased to 1.0, the normalized neutron flux reaches approximately 1.06 × 10⁻⁶. -6 The yield increased by approximately 3.8 times compared to when the proportion was 0.1%. This indicates that the higher the proportion of target nuclide material in the alpha particle source term, the more target nuclide ions can participate in the (α,n) reaction, the higher the contact probability between alpha particles and target nuclides, and the significantly improved (α,n) reaction efficiency. The neutron flux increased synchronously with the proportion of target nuclide, verifying the technical effect of this invention in achieving full integration of target nuclides and alpha sources through ion migration and improving neutron yield.

[0048] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and not to limit them. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can still be made to the technical solutions of the present invention, and these modifications or equivalent substitutions cannot cause the modified technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention.

Claims

1. A controllable isotope neutron source device based on ion migration, characterized in that: The device includes an outer casing, inside which are a target material module, a target ion migration system, a safety assurance module, and an alpha particle source term. The target material module includes target nuclide materials for providing target nuclide ions. The alpha particle source term includes alpha radioactive nuclide materials and target nuclide intercalation materials for receiving and intercalating target nuclide ions. The safety assurance module is located between the target material module and the alpha particle source term and is composed of target nuclide intercalation materials. The target ion migration system is located between the target material module and the safety assurance module and is connected to an external control field. Target nuclide ions migrate through the target ion migration system within the safety assurance module and the alpha particle source term.

2. The controllable isotope neutron source device based on ion migration according to claim 1, characterized in that: The device's outer casing is made of a neutron-insensitive material and is used to support and protect the internal components.

3. The controllable isotope neutron source device based on ion migration according to claim 1, characterized in that: The target nuclide material includes one or more of Be, B, F, Li or their compounds.

4. The controllable isotope neutron source device based on ion migration according to claim 1, characterized in that: Alpha radioactive nuclide materials include 241 Am、 210 Po、 238 Pu、 244 Cm or one or more of its compounds.

5. The controllable isotope neutron source device based on ion migration according to claim 1, characterized in that: Target nuclide chimeric materials include one or more of carbon, indium, and silver.

6. The controllable isotope neutron source device based on ion migration according to claim 1, characterized in that: Target ion migration systems include one or more of the following: solid electrolytes, liquid electrolytes, gas ionization regions, or plasma regions.

7. The controllable isotope neutron source device based on ion migration according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thickness of the safety protection module is greater than the range of the alpha particles.

8. The controllable isotope neutron source device based on ion migration according to claim 1, characterized in that: External control fields include one of the following: electric field, magnetic field, or electromagnetic field.

9. The method for generating neutrons using a controllable isotope neutron source device based on ion migration as described in any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: S1. The external control field is activated, and the target ion migration system drives the directional migration of target nuclide ions in the target material module. S2, the target nuclide ions pass through the target ion migration system and the safety module in sequence and enter the alpha particle source term, forming an intercalation structure with the target nuclide intercalation material, and then react with the alpha particles emitted by the alpha radioactive nuclide material in (α,n) to produce and output neutrons; S3. The external control field is shut down, the target nuclide ions are removed from the alpha particle source term and return to the target material module. The safety module blocks the alpha particles from contacting the target nuclide, and the neutron output stops.

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