Development of deuterium-loaded targets for D-D neutron generator based on high-current gasdynamic ECR ion source

Development of a new generation of D-D neutron generators based on high-current gasdynamic ECR sources of deuterium ions requires engineering and creation of a neutron-generating target containing deuterium. Existing D-D neutron generators consist of deuterium ion (deuteron) source with extracted beam energy of 100–200 keV and deuterium saturated neutron production target. The deuteron beam is directed towards the target, provoking the nuclear reaction and neutron emission. However state-of-the-art D-D generators based on conventional ion sources deliver only 1–10 mA/cm2 deuteron current density to the target and do not provide necessary neutron flux density for modern applications. Increasing the current density of deuterium ion beams bombarding the target is one of the obvious ways to amplify the neutron yield in D-D generators. A so-called high current quasi-gasdynamic ECR ion source with plasma heating by millimeter wave gyrotron radiation was suggested to be used in a scheme of D-D neutron generator....