Glenn A. Meyer

Neutron production from feedback controlled thermal cycling of a pyroelectric crystal

The LLNL Crystal Driven Neutron Source is operational and has produced record ion currents of approximately 10 nA and neutron output of 1.9(+/-0.3)x10(5) per thermal cycle using a crystal heating rate of 0.2 degrees C/s from 10 to 110 degrees C. A 3 cm diameter by 1 cm thick LiTaO(3) crystal with a socket secured field emitter tip is thermally cycled with feedback control for ionization and acceleration of deuterons onto a deuterated target to produce D-D fusion neutrons. The entire crystal and temperature system is mounted on a bellows which allows movement of the crystal along the beam axis and is completely contained on a single small vacuum flange. The modular crystal assembly permitted experimental flexibility. Operationally, flashover breakdowns along the side of the crystal and poor emitter tip characteristics can limit the neutron source. The experimental neutron results extend earlier published work by increasing the ion current and pulse length significantly to achieve a factor-of-two higher neutron output per thermal cycle. These findings are reviewed along with details of the instrument.

Miniature Accelerometer and Multichannel Signal Processor for Fiberoptic Fabry–Pérot Sensing

A miniature accelerometer based on silicon microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) fabrication technology has been developed. Using a beam-suspended proof mass and a Fabry-Peacuterot sensing gap, this accelerometer is fiber coupled to a miniature, multichannel, optical readout system which was developed for application in compact optical sensor systems. The approximately 4 mmtimes7 mmtimes2 mm accelerometer can be tailored to cover milli-g to kilo-g acceleration ranges. The miniature readout system is enclosed in approximately a 2 cmtimes8 cmtimes1 cm package, one of the smallest ever reported, and implements the complete optical path for a three-channel embodiment of a multichannel, highly sensitive and accurate, in-phase and quadrature (IQ) optical measurement system for Fabry-Peacuterot sensors. A variety of fiber-based sensors (temperature, strain, pressure, etc.) are commercially available using this Fabry-Peacuterot technique. The complete measurement system with the accelerometer was tested using a shaker table. Sample results are presented for 100 Hz, 10-g peak-peak acceleration

Intense pulsed neutron emission from a compact pyroelectric driven accelerator

Intense pulsed D–D neutron emission with rates of >1010 n/s during the pulse, pulse widths of approximately hundreds of nanoseconds and neutron yields of greater than 10 000 per pulse, are demonstrated in a compact pyroelectric accelerator. The accelerator consists of a small pyroelectric LiTaO3 crystal that provides the accelerating voltage and an independent compact spark plasma ion source. The crystal voltage versus temperature is characterized and compares well with theory. Results show neutron output per pulse that scales with voltage as V∼1.7. These neutron yields match a simple model of the system at low voltages but are lower than predicted at higher voltages due to charge losses not accounted for in the model. Interpretation of the data against modeling provides understanding of the accelerator and in general pyroelectric LiTaO3 crystals operated as charge limited negative high voltage targets. The findings overall serve as the proof of principle and basis for pyroelectric neutron generators that...

Characterization of a Surface-Flashover Ion Source with 10-250 ns Pulse Widths

As a step towards developing an ultra compact D‐D neutron source for various defense and homeland security applications, a compact ion source is needed. Towards that end, we are testing a pulsed, surface flashover source, with deuterated titanium films deposited on alumina substrates as the electrodes. An electrochemically‐etched mask was used to define the electrode areas on the substrate during the sputtered deposition of the titanium films. Deuterium loading of the films was performed in an all metal‐sealed vacuum chamber containing a heated stage. Deuterium ion current from the source was determined by measuring the neutrons produced when the ions impacted a deuterium‐loaded target held at −90 kV. As the duration of the arc current is varied, it was observed that the integrated deuteron current per pulse initially increases rapidly, then reaches a maximum near a pulse length of 100 ns.

Crystal Driven Neutron Source: A New Paradigm for Miniature Neutron Sources

Neutron interrogation techniques have specific advantages for detection of hidden, shielded, or buried threats over other detection modalities in that neutrons readily penetrate most materials providing backscattered gammas indicative of the elemental composition of the potential threat. Such techniques have broad application to military and homeland security needs. Present neutron sources and interrogation systems are expensive and relatively bulky, thereby making widespread use of this technique impractical. Development of a compact, high intensity crystal driven neutron source is described. The crystal driven neutron source approach has been previously demonstrated using pyroelectric crystals that generate extremely high voltages when thermal cycled [1–4]. Placement of a sharpened needle on the positively polarized surface of the pyroelectric crystal results in sufficient field intensification to field ionize background deuterium molecules in a test chamber, and subsequently accelerate the ions to ener...

Enhanced resistivity and breakdown strength via a granular two-phase silicone oil and polypropylene mixed media dielectric

A new granular two-phase mixed media insulator consisting of packed polypropylene beads and silicone oil is found to have up to 10 times greater resistivity and nearly 2 times greater breakdown strength compared with the same silicone oil when operated in DC mode.

Neutron Yield With a Pulsed Surface Flashover Deuterium Source

As a step towards developing an ultra compact D‐D neutron source for various defense and homeland security applications, a compact, low average power ion source is needed. Towards that end, we are testing a high current, pulsed surface flashover ion source, with deuterated titanium as the spark contacts. Neutron yield and source lifetime data will be presented using a low voltage ( 106 neutrons/s with 1 kHz PRF

Passband-shifting filters through postgrowth modification of filter optical thickness

We describe a postgrowth method to produce passband filters with different center wavelengths from a single growth run by irreversibly changing the refractive index of a layer or a series of layers within the filter. This leads to a new type of filter, the passband-shifting filter, whose center wavelength can be irreversibly shifted from lambda0 to lambda0 - deltalambda after the filter has been grown. The passband shift can be controlled exactly by proper design of the multilayer. We present the theory behind passband-shifting-filter design along with transfer-matrix simulations and preliminary experimental results for a two-cavity filter, using lateral oxidation of AlxGa1-x As-based materials to effect the passband shift.