Deuterium ion extraction and neutron production from a piezoelectric transformer plasma source

Summary form only given. A piezoelectric transformer plasma source (PTPS) is being developed as a plasma ion source for D(d, n) 3 He neutron production. The PTPS consists of a lithium niobate piezoelectric disc in a differentially pumped chamber with controlled gas flow from an external source. The...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Baxter, E. A., Kovaleski, S. D., Gall, B. B., VanGordon, J. A., Norgard, P., Olson, K. M., Dale, G. E.
Format: Conference Proceeding
Language:English
Subjects:
Deuterium
Ion sources
Laboratories
Neutrons
Plasma sources
Production
Voltage measurement
Online Access:Request full text
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Description
Summary:Summary form only given. A piezoelectric transformer plasma source (PTPS) is being developed as a plasma ion source for D(d, n) 3 He neutron production. The PTPS consists of a lithium niobate piezoelectric disc in a differentially pumped chamber with controlled gas flow from an external source. The PTPS was previously characterized using a range of gas flows, extraction voltages, and aperture geometries. This ion source has been used for preliminary neutron production measurements using a target at high voltage. Ion current measurements are presented for deuterium gas at PTPS internal pressures from 0.5 to 4 Torr, extraction voltages up to 1.5 kV, and a range of duty cycles and operating times. Ion current yields on the order of 10 μA are presented. The PTPS was also operated with a high voltage dc source coupled with a deuterium impregnated palladium foil. Preliminary neutron yields are presented.
ISSN:0730-9244
2576-7208
DOI:10.1109/PLASMA.2013.6633297