Patent ID: 8461516

Claim:
A process for generating a neutron beam comprising: providing a target comprising a first isotope of hydrogen, ionizing discrete atoms of at least said first isotope of hydrogen, spin polarizing ionized said discrete atoms of said first isotope of hydrogen so that said discrete atoms of said first isotope of hydrogen are spin polarized in a selected direction, providing a gas source comprising a second isotope of hydrogen, ionizing discrete atoms of at least said second isotope of hydrogen, spin polarizing ionized said discrete atoms of said second isotope of hydrogen so that said discrete atoms of said second isotope of hydrogen are spin polarized in a selected direction, accelerating to a selected energy level said ionized and spin polarized said discrete atoms of said second isotope of hydrogen gas, colliding said ionized and spin polarized discrete atoms of said second isotope of hydrogen gas with said ionized and spin polarized discrete atoms of said first isotope of hydrogen, generating at least one neutron beam directly from said target.