The present disclosure relates to a time-gated fast neutron transmission radiography system and method. The system makes use of a pulsed neutron source for producing neutrons in a plurality of directions, with at least a subplurality of the neutrons being directed at an object to be imaged. The system also includes a neutron detector system configured to time-gate the detection of neutrons emitted from the pulsed neutron source to within a time-gated window.

In a helical resonator ion accelerator ions are injected into a hollow dielectric pipe forming a vacuum chamber along which the ions are accelerated. The dielectric pipe is wrapped with a coil and positioned inside a metal pipe. The dielectric pipe, the coil and the metal pipe are arranged coaxially on an axis along which ions are accelerated. A static or magnetic beam optic is used to radially focus the deuterium ions as they transit the accelerator. A pulse generator coupled to the coil is used to generate a voltage wave pulse. The pulse travels down the axis of the accelerator on the helix formed by the coil. An ion source injects deuterium ions along the dielectric pipe axis. A traveling voltage wave is accelerated by tapering the impedance of the accelerator along the accelerator to reduce the impedance per unit length of the accelerator.

In a helical resonator ion accelerator ions are injected into a hollow dielectric pipe forming a vacuum chamber along which the ions are accelerated. The dielectric pipe is wrapped with a coil and positioned inside a metal pipe. The dielectric pipe, the coil and the metal pipe are arranged coaxially on an axis along which ions are accelerated. A static or magnetic beam optic is used to radially focus the deuterium ions as they transit the accelerator. A pulse generator coupled to the coil is used to generate a voltage wave pulse. The pulse travels down the axis of the accelerator on the helix formed by the coil. An ion source injects deuterium ions along the dielectric pipe axis. A traveling voltage wave is accelerated by tapering the impedance of the accelerator along the accelerator to reduce the impedance per unit length of the accelerator.

An apparatus for generating medical isotopes provides an annular fissile solution vessel surrounding a neutron generator. The annular fissile solution vessel provides for good capture of the emitted neutrons and a geometry that provides enhanced stability in an aqueous reactor. A neutron multiplier and/or a neutron moderator may be used to improve the efficiency and control the criticality of the reaction in the annular fissile solution vessel.

A thermal interface material under a high vacuum condition includes a graphite sheet having a thickness of from 9.6 μm to 50 nm and a thermal conductivity in an a-b surface direction at 25° C. of not less than 1000 W/mK.

An accelerator neutron source (ANS) including a field ionization (FI) array configured to generate deuterium and tritium ions and a plasma for containing the deuterium and tritium ions produced by the FI array. The ANS also includes a target comprising deuterium and tritium ions and the ANS is configured to accelerate deuterium and tritium ions produced by the FI array toward the target to generate neutrons by applying a voltage to an accelerating electrode.

Provided herein are neutron imaging systems (e.g., radiography and tomography) systems and methods that provide, for example, high-quality, high throughput 2D and 3D fast or thermal neutron and/or X-ray images. Such systems and methods find use for the commercial-scale imaging of industrial components. In certain embodiments, provided herein are system comprising a plurality of independent neutron absorber-lined collimators (e.g., 4 or more collimators) extending outwards from a central neutron source assembly.

Provided herein are neutron imaging systems (e.g., radiography and tomography) systems and methods that provide, for example, high-quality, high throughput 2D and 3D fast or thermal neutron and/or X-ray images. Such systems and methods find use for the commercial-scale imaging of industrial components. In certain embodiments, provided herein are system comprising a plurality of independent neutron absorber-lined collimators (e.g., 4 or more collimators) extending outwards from a central neutron source assembly.

A nuclear reaction generator includes a chamber configured to contain a gas and including a target. The nuclear reaction generator also includes a filament provided inside the chamber and a voltage source configured to apply a first positive voltage to the filament relative to the chamber. The first positive voltage is configured to heat the filament to a temperature at which thermionic emission occurs and a plurality of thermions are generated, and the plurality of thermions is configured to ionize the gas to generate positive ions in the chamber. The target is configured such that nuclear reactions occur when the positive ions interact with the target.

A nuclear reaction generator includes a chamber configured to contain a gas and including a target. The nuclear reaction generator also includes a filament provided inside the chamber and a voltage source configured to apply a first positive voltage to the filament relative to the chamber. The first positive voltage is configured to heat the filament to a temperature at which thermionic emission occurs and a plurality of thermions are generated, and the plurality of thermions is configured to ionize the gas to generate positive ions in the chamber. The target is configured such that nuclear reactions occur when the positive ions interact with the target.