High Yield, Long-Lived Tritium Targets

In order to extend the lifetime of conventional nonrotating tritium targets (say, TiT2), a new design concept for neutron generator targets has been tested successfully. It consists of a device which allows the target area to be replenished during operation. It has been used to produce neutrons [T(d,n)4He reaction] for about ten hours at a sustained 4π yield of 2-4 × 1010 n/mA-s. Tritium diffuses through a palladium foil into the target area when the foil is heated by a deuteron beam. Control of the flow of tritium is accomplished by regulating gas pressure in the reservoir and water flow in the cooling system.