Deuterium-Cluster Foil Laser Neutron Source
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing pulsed neutron beams, such as accelerator-target concepts and plasma discharges, face limitations in ion current and efficiency, resulting in low neutron source strengths, and existing fusion neutron sources have limited directional and energy spectra capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The use of deuterium or proton cluster foils, created through high-energy laser interaction, to generate intense, directional neutron pulses via deuteron or proton beams, utilizing ultra-high density clusters in defects of thin film palladium or palladium-oxide foils, which are then directed to deuterated or tritiated targets for fusion reactions, producing high-energy neutrons with a forward-directed cosine distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If accelerator-target concepts or plasma discharges are used to produce pulsed neutron beams, then neutron source strength is limited, but device complexity and efficiency are also constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical accelerator systems with a laser-driven cluster foil system. A high-intensity laser irradiates a deuterium or proton cluster foil, generating intense ion beams that strike a target to produce neutrons. This substitution eliminates complex accelerator infrastructure while achieving superior neutron source strength of 10^16-10^18 neutrons per pulse, directly resolving the contradiction between productivity improvement and device complexity reduction.
2Quantity of substance
If traditional accelerator methods are used, then ion current is relatively low, but neutron source strength remains limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the ion generation parameters by using laser intensities of 10^18-10^20 W/cm² incident on cluster foils with densities of 10^20-10^22 molecules/cm³. This parameter transformation enables the generation of ion beams with currents exceeding 10^16 ions per pulse, which then produce neutron sources of 10^16-10^18 neutrons per pulse, simultaneously improving both ion current quantity and neutron source strength without the limitations of traditional accelerators.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional neutron sources are used, then angular distribution is limited, but directional capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetric angular distribution of neutrons by using a laser-driven ion beam that strikes a target at a specific angle. The neutron emission exhibits a forward-peaked angular distribution aligned with the ion beam direction, providing inherent directional capability. This asymmetric emission pattern enables selective neutron beam directionality and angular distribution control, simultaneously improving adaptability for different applications and ease of operation for targeted neutron delivery.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for producing neutrons, comprising: providing a converter foil comprising deuterium clusters; focusing a laser on the foil with power and energy sufficient to cause deuteron ions to separate from the foil; and striking a surface of a target with the deuteron ions from the converter foil with energy sufficient to cause neutron production by a reaction selected from the group consisting of D-D fusion, D-T fusion, D-metal nuclear spallation, and p-metal. A further method is provided for assembling a plurality of target assemblies for a target injector to be used in the previously mentioned manner. A further method is provided for producing neutrons, comprising: splitting a laser beam into a first beam and a second beam; striking a first surface of a target with the first beam, and an opposite second surface of the target with the second beam with energy sufficient to cause neutron production.