Belt-shaped neutron source
A continuous, thin layer of neutron source material, for example solid lithium, is formed into a belt. The belt is continuously advanced in front of a proton source to generate neutrons from the lithium target. Additionally, the belt is continuously cooled, as it passes through a gas cooling section. Through the continuous motion and cooling of the lithium target, the belt can provide an effective neutron source without melting the target neutron source material.
1. A neutron generation method comprising:
generating a proton beam;
advancing a belt-shaped neutron source in a path of the proton beam to generate a flux of neutrons;
focusing the flux of neutrons with a beam-shaping assembly; and
cooling the belt-shaped neutron source by passing the belt-shaped neutron source through a cooling section.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the belt-shaped neutron source comprises lithium, beryllium, or a combination thereof.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising supporting the belt-shaped neutron source with a support belt.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising cooling the belt-shaped neutron source with a cooling gas.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the cooling gas comprises helium, argon, hydrogen, nitrogen, or a combination thereof.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising moderating the flux of neutrons with a neutron moderating material in the beam-shaping assembly.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the neutron moderating material comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of magnesium, aluminum, and fluorine.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising reflecting neutrons with a neutron reflector surrounding the beam-shaping assembly.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the neutron reflector comprises lead, bismuth, or a combination thereof.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
supporting the belt-shaped neutron source by a pulley; and
tensioning the belt-shaped neutron source by a pivot arm.
11. A neutron generation system comprising:
a proton beam generator for generating a proton beam;
a belt-shaped neutron source configured to travel through the proton beam to generate a flux of neutrons;
a beam-shaping assembly configured to focus the flux of neutrons; and
a cooling section disposed on a path of the belt-shaped neutron source.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the belt-shaped neutron source comprises lithium, beryllium, or a combination thereof.
13. The system of claim 11 wherein the belt-shaped neutron source comprises a support belt.
14. The system of claim 11 , wherein the cooling section comprises a gas for cooling the belt-shaped neutron source.
15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the gas comprises helium, argon, hydrogen, nitrogen, or a combination thereof.
16. The system of claim 11 , wherein the beam-shaping assembly comprises a neutron moderating material.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the neutron moderating material comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of magnesium, aluminum, and fluorine.
18. The system of claim 11 , further comprising a neutron reflector surrounding the beam-shaping assembly.
19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the neutron reflector comprises lead, bismuth, or a combination thereof.
20. The system of claim 11 , further comprising:
a pulley configured to support the belt-shaped neutron source; and
a pivot arm configured to tension the belt-shaped neutron source.