Design of accelerator based 14 MeV neutron generator for fusion blanket studies

Accelerator based neutron generator is designed for the generation of 14 MeV neutrons for carrying out the benchmark experiments for fusion blanket and shielding material studies for demo fusion reactor. 5 mA deuterium ion beam is extracted from the ECR ion source and accelerated to 300 keV and impinging on 10 curie tritium target produces 5 x 1011 14 MeV neutrons per second via D(T,n)He nuclear fusion reaction. The subsystem of the neutron generator includes 2.45 GHz ECR ion source and its power supply on the high voltage platform, Acceleration column and 300 kV/10 mA DC High voltage power supply for accelerating deuterium ion, high voltage power supply has very low ripple and regulation and very good stability for longer duration, beam line and vacuum system to maintain 10-5 mbar inside the beam line and tritiated target. Tritiated target has tritium gas absorbed in the titanium layer and then deposited on the OFHC copper. The heat load from the target is removed by circulating chill water across the target surface. The major components of the neutron generator are procured and tested and now it is being commissioned. Fusion reactor grade material studies and the tritium breeding experiments with Lithium compounds will be carried out with the neutron generator facility. We have another 3 x 1010 14 MeV neutron per second facility in our laboratory to start the benchmark experiments for fusion reactor material studies. (orig.)