Developmental study of a plasma source of 14-MeV neutrons. I. General concept

The concept of a plasma source of monochromatic 14-MeV neutrons is proposed. It is shown that the fast neutrons can be produced in a moderately heated D3He plasma irradiated by a flux of thermal neutrons. The efficiency of this n(thermal) →n(14 MeV) transformation in the compact device with a size of 10–20 cm can be sufficient for providing an appreciable yield of the fast neutrons. Temperature of the D3He plasma required for such a scenario is found to be only 100 eV for ions, and few keV for electrons. Key problems related to a further development of the present concept are discussed.