Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. A neutron source comprising a composite, said composite comprising crystals comprising BeO and AmBe13, 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; andc) the beryllium is present in a 7-fold to a 75-fold excess by weight of the amount of AmBe13. 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 AmBe13 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 AmBe13, 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 AmBe13 and an excess of beryllium, comprising:a) providing AmO2 powder and Be metal powder in a sealed capsule, wherein the weight ratio of the Be metal to the AmO2 powder is from about 10:1 to about 100:1;b) heating the mixed AmO2 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; andc) 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 AmO2 powder and the Be metal are intimately mixed prior to heating.