Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. A method for neutralizing a weapon containing a chemical payload using a neutron generator, wherein the neutron generator comprises:a low-voltage power source;a high-voltage power source;a vacuum pump;a positively-biased cylindrical vacuum chamber, operatively connected to the vacuum pump, the vacuum chamber containing:a fuel source;a platinum grid;a concentric pair of do rings operatively connected to the low-voltage power source;a first negatively-biased accelerating grid operatively connected to the high voltage source;a platinum enriched lithium mesh;a lithium blanket surrounding the lithium mesh;a second negatively-biased accelerating grid operatively connected to the high voltage source;wherein the vacuum chamber is surrounded by a neutron reflector, except for a bare region which comprises: a region with two polyethylene sheets; a region with one polyethylene sheet; and a region with no polyethylene sheets;the method comprising:locating a chemical weapon;generating a moderated neutron beam with the neutron generator; andtargeting the chemical weapon with the moderated neutron beam for a period of time. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the period of time is calculated based upon measurements of the chemical payload. 3. A method for neutralizing a weapon containing a chemical explosive using a neutron generator, wherein the neutron generator comprises:a low-voltage power source;a high-voltage power source;a vacuum pump;a positively-biased cylindrical vacuum chamber, operatively connected to the vacuum pump, the vacuum chamber containing:a fuel source;a platinum grid;a concentric pair of dc rings operatively connected to the low-voltage power source;a first negatively-biased accelerating grid operatively connected to the high voltage source;a platinum enriched lithium mesh;a lithium blanket surrounding the lithium mesh;a second negatively-biased accelerating grid operatively connected to the high voltage source;wherein the vacuum chamber is surrounded by a neutron reflector, except for a bare region which comprises: a region with two polyethylene sheets; a region with one polyethylene sheet; and a region with no polyethylene sheets;the method comprising:locating a chemical explosive;generating a moderated neutron beam with the neutron generator; andtargeting the chemical explosive with the moderated neutron beam for a period of time. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the period of time is calculated based upon measurements of the chemical explosive.