Ways of increasing yield and flux stability for 14 MeV neutrons

Yields of 14 MeV neutrons, produced by the D-T reaction from tritium-tritium, tritium-rare earth, or other tritium targets, tend to fall over time. This paper considers the state of the art and classifies recent research results for increasing the yield and flux stability for 14 MeV neutrons. Major physical processes are discussed for a target containing sorbed tritium. Causes of neutron yield instability, owing to material and reaction losses, are analyzed. Methods of preventing yield decrease and providing flux stability include hydrogen-isotope barrier retention by layered and coated targets, bombardment by a mass-separated beam, elimination of heavy sputtering ions and the oxygen beam component, and reducing specific energy losses. Gas targets and tritium sorbents are evaluated