Neutron Production Using Alpha-Be Reaction on the Neutron Generator Accelerator

In order to obtain data for development of small scale Accelerator Driven System (ADS), calculations of neutron production that use alpha-Be reaction on the acceleration energy range of 100 to 500 keV have been carried out. The result of neutron yield calculation was compared with calculation result of D-T reaction and both calculations were treated for thick target. At the energy of 100 keV; alpha-Be reaction produces neutron yield about 1/10 compared to that of D-T reaction and increases to 1/5 at energy of 500 keV. At the same acceleration voltage of 250 kV, where the alpha energy is 500 keV and deuteron energy is 250 keV; the neutron yield of alpha-Be reaction is 1/3 of that in D-T reaction. On the last mentioned condition and considering that target cost of Be is cheaper than the cost of T, neutron production on a neutron generator accelerator that uses alpha-Be reaction is a competitive method as neutron source, especially for ADS. (author)