Patent ID: 8913707

Claim:
A photoneutron conversion device for generating photoneutrons, the photoneutron conversion device comprising: an x-ray beam generator configured to generate an x-ray beam; and a photoneutron conversion target comprising a body that: (a) includes a first end, a second end, a cylindrical portion adjacent the first end, and a tapered portion adjacent to, and that tapers toward, the second end; and (b) is structured and arranged relative to the x-ray beam generator to cause at least a portion of the x-ray beam, when generated by the x-ray beam generator, to impinge upon and propagate through material of the body in a direction from the first end of the body to the second end of the body to generate the photoneutrons; wherein the propagation which the body of the photoneutron conversion target is structured to cause is substantially proportionate to an intensity distribution of the x-ray beam, so that the greater an intensity of rays of the x-ray beam that impinge upon and propagate through material of the body, the greater the distance of the path of the rays within the body from entry into the body until exit from the body.