Physical performances of a tritium gas target as a source of monochromatic neutrons

Characteristics of a gas tritium target used in conjunction with the EGP-10M proton electrostatic accelerator as a source of 3-8 MeV fast neutrons have been investigated. The target design and flowsheet are described. Neutron spectra measured when bombarding an evacuated target or a target filled with tritium to 2 atm with 6.00 and 8.77 MeV protons are presented. Time spectra measured for an evacuated target and a target filled with the air at a 1 atm pressure are shown. A conclusion has been drawn that the gas target ensures 5-10 times greater neutron yield as compared with solid tritium targets for the same energy spread of the neutron initial energy