Recent advancements in neutron generator technology have the potential to revolutionize various sectors, including healthcare, energy, and security. A team of researchers led by Ka-Ngo Leung from the Nuclear Engineering Department at the University of California, Berkeley, has developed new mini neutron tubes that utilize thermal desorption processes to generate high-energy neutrons without the need for traditional plasma sources.
Conventional neutron generators, which rely on plasma sources to produce positive deuterium and tritium ions, face several limitations. These include inefficiencies due to molecular ion dissociation, secondary electron production that can drain power, and the large size of the plasma source itself. In contrast, the new mini neutron tubes eliminate these issues by employing negative deuterium (D−) ions, resulting in a more compact design and simplified operation.
Leung’s research demonstrates that these “plasma-less” neutron tubes can generate high-intensity neutron beams through various nuclear reactions, such as d-d, d-^10B, d-^7Li, or p-^7Li. This innovation allows for significant applications in areas such as carbon and oil well logging, neutron imaging, cancer therapy, and medical isotope production. The ability to produce high fluxes of neutrons in both continuous wave and pulsed operation opens up new possibilities for intraoperative radiation therapy and skin cancer treatment.
“The performance of these new mini neutron tubes can exceed those of conventional plasma-based neutron sources,” Leung noted, emphasizing the potential for improved efficiency and effectiveness in applications where neutron generation is critical.
The commercial implications of this technology are substantial. For the energy sector, the mini neutron tubes could enhance the startup processes of fission reactors and facilitate material evaluation for fusion reactors. Additionally, the compact nature of these generators could lead to portable units, akin to handheld X-ray machines, expanding their use in medical applications such as proton and neutron brachytherapy.
Moreover, the security sector stands to benefit from enhanced neutron imaging capabilities, which can be crucial for cargo screening and homeland security applications. As the technology matures, the potential for deployment in space exploration, particularly for missions to the Moon and Mars, could also be realized.
This groundbreaking research was published in the ‘Journal of Nuclear Engineering,’ highlighting the innovative strides being made in neutron generation technology and its diverse applications across multiple industries. As these mini neutron tubes continue to develop, they may play a pivotal role in addressing some of the most pressing challenges in healthcare and energy production.
