Actinide/beryllium neutron sources with reduced dispersion characteristics
View Patent ↗Neutron source comprising a composite, said composite comprising crystals comprising BeO and AmBe 13 , and an excess of beryllium, wherein the crystals have an average size of less than 2 microns; the size distribution of the crystals is less than 2 microns; and the beryllium is present in a 7-fold to a 75-fold excess by weight of the amount of AmBe 13 ; and methods of making thereof.
1. A neutron source comprising a composite, said composite comprising crystals comprising BeO and AmBe 13 , and an excess of beryllium, wherein:
a) the crystals have an average size of less than 2 microns;
b) the size distribution of the crystals is less than 2 microns; and
c) the beryllium is present in a 7-fold to a 75-fold excess by weight of the amount of AmBe 13 .
2. The neutron source of claim 1 , wherein the crystals have an average size of from about 0.01 micron to about 2 microns.
3. The neutron source of claim 1 , wherein the composite is enclosed in a sealed capsule.
4. The neutron source of claim 3 , wherein the sealed capsule comprises Ta, W, Zircaloy, or Pt30% Rh.
5. The neutron source of claim 4 , wherein the sealed capsule is comprised of Ta.
6. A neutron source comprising a composite, said composite comprising crystals comprising BeO and AmBe 13 and an excess of beryllium, wherein the beryllium is present in a 7-fold to a 75-fold excess by weight of the amount of AmBe 13 , and wherein the composite has a tensile strength of greater than 20,000 psi.
7. The neutron source of claim 6 , wherein the crystals have an average size of from about 0.01 micron to about 2 microns.
8. The neutron source of claim 6 , wherein the composite is enclosed in a sealed capsule.
9. The neutron source of claim 8 , wherein the sealed capsule comprises Ta, W, Zircaloy, or Pt30% Rh.
10. The neutron source of claim 9 , wherein the sealed capsule is comprised of Ta.
11. A method of producing a composite, said composite comprising crystals comprising BeO and AmBe 13 and an excess of beryllium, comprising:
a) providing AmO 2 powder and Be metal powder in a sealed capsule, wherein the weight ratio of the Be metal to the AmO 2 powder is from about 10:1 to about 100:1;
b) heating the mixed AmO 2 powder and Be metal powder in an induction furnace to a temperature of from about 1400° C. to about 1600° C. for a period of about 5 minutes; and
c) lowering the temperature below the freezing point of the composite within about 5 minutes.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the sealed capsule comprises Ta, W, Zircaloy, or Pt30% Rh.
13. The neutron source of claim 12 , wherein the sealed capsule is comprised of Ta.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the AmO 2 powder and the Be metal are intimately mixed prior to heating.