Experimental study of a small-sized laser neutron generator

An investigation of reasons, affecting the output working stability and life time of laser neutron generator (LGN) has been carried out aiming to increase the LGN output. The experiments were conducted on the LGN model with continuous pumping. The LTI-5 laser was used on the garnet (lambda=1.06 μm) with maximum radiation power of 4 MW. The laser radiation was introduced along the vacuum chamber axis and was focused to a deutero-containing target by a lens. Flat targets from LiD and TiDsub(1,2) were used as laser targets. At accelerating voltage of 150 kV on LiD target the neutron output presented 106 neutron/pulse. The maximum current of the accelerated ions was equal to 4 A. The evaporated mass from TiD target constitutes 3x10-7 g/pulse. Comparatively easy radiation scanning along the target at the generation frequency of 25 Hz permits to work continuously no less than 10 hrs