Patent ID: 9001956
Filing Date: 2015-04-07
Classification: B82Y,G01V,H01J,H05H,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A neutron generator comprising: an insulative housing defining a sealed chamber having a central axis; an ionizable gas supply carried by said insulative housing to provide an ionizable gas within the sealed chamber; an ion source disposed in the sealed chamber adjacent said ionizable gas supply and defining a gas diffusion space therebetween, the ion source including a grid and a substrate with a bundle of carbon nanotubes extending therefrom, to ends thereof, in a direction substantially parallel to the central axis of the sealed chamber, away from the diffusion space, and that are spaced from said grid; conductive flanges carried by said insulative housing and respectively coupled to said grid and said substrate; an ion source voltage supply electrically coupled to said substrate and said grid via said respective conductive flanges to supply a positive voltage potential between said substrate and said grid, thereby causing electrons from gas molecules of the ionizable gas to quantum tunnel to the ends of the nanotubes so as to cause ionization of said ionizable gas proximate the ends of the nanotubes; a target disposed within the sealed chamber; and an accelerator section disposed within the sealed chamber between said ion source and said target that accelerates ions that pass through said grid towards said target such that collisions of ions with said target cause said target to generate and emit neutrons therefrom.