D-T neutron generator development for cancer therapy: 1982 annual progress report

The feasibility of the design and operation of a D-T neutron generator for use in cancer therapy has been demonstrated. The principal components of the sealed, non-pumped neutron source would consist of two low-pressure ion sources, each capable of delivering a 200 mA ion beam, a water-cooled scandium target and a 170 kV single-stage accelerator. The final design of the neutron source would be a dual ion source, dual ion beam system to deliver a 400 mA mixed beam of deuterium and tritium ions on the ScDT target and produce 14 MeV neutrons at a rate of 1 to 2 x 1013/s with a lifetime of 100h. All of the feasibility studies have been conducted with deuterium to avoid the health hazards associated with the use of tritium. D-D neutrons were produced at a rate of 7 x 1010/s with a 170 kV/150 mA ion beam and 1 x 1011/s with a 200 kV/200 mA ion beam. These output rates scale to 7 x 1012/s and 1 x 1013/s for D-T operation. Target lifetime of 100h has beeen demonstrated. A new ion source has been developed to operate at a pressure of 0.25 Pa and deliver a 200 mA deuterium ion beam consisting of over 50 percent atomic ions