Abstract: A system for producing a high flux of neutrons includes a gas-target neutron generator and a fission assembly neutronically coupled to the gas-target neutron generator. The gas-target neutron generator includes an ion source configured to produce an ion beam, an accelerator configured to accelerate the ion beam to produce an accelerated ion beam, a plurality of focus elements configured to focus the accelerated ion beam in an x-direction and a y-direction, and a pumping/gas-target section including a gas target chamber filled with a target gas. The fission assembly is a subcritical or a sub-prompt critical fission assembly. The fission assembly surrounds the gas target chamber. The gas-target neutron generator is a source of initiating neutrons for the fission assembly, and the fission assembly is configured to multiply a number of the initiating neutrons via inducing fission.

Abstract: A first system for producing a high flux of neutrons for non-destructive testing includes a dense plasma focus device neutronically coupled to a subcritical or sub-prompt critical fission assembly. The dense plasma focus device is a source of initiating neutrons for the fission assembly, and the fission assembly is configured to multiply a number of the initiating neutrons via inducing fission. A second system for producing a high flux of neutrons includes a gas-target neutron generator neutronically coupled to a subcritical or sub-prompt critical fission assembly. The gas-target neutron generator is a source of initiating neutrons for the fission assembly, and the fission assembly is configured to multiply a number of the initiating neutrons via inducing fission.

Abstract: A negative ion source includes a plasma chamber, a microwave source, a negative ion converter, a magnetic filter and a beam formation mechanism. The plasma chamber contains gas to be ionized. The microwave source transmits microwaves to the plasma chamber to ionize the gas into atomic species including hyperthermal neutral atoms. The negative ion converter converts the hyperthermal neutral atoms to negative ions. The magnetic filter reduces a temperature of electrons provided between the plasma chamber and the negative ion converter. The beam formation mechanism extracts the negative ions.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting the contents of a cargo container includes a neutron source having an ion source configured to provide deuterium or tritium ions and an accelerator configured to accelerate the ions toward a target having at least one of deuterium or tritium. The apparatus further includes a radiation detector where the neutron source is configured to deliver a neutron flux into the container and the radiation detector is configured to detect radiation exiting the container subsequent to the delivery of the neutron flux into the container.

Abstract: The invention provides a compact high energy proton source useful for medical isotope production and for other applications including transmutation of nuclear waste. The invention further provides a device that can be used to generate high fluxes of isotropic neutrons by changing fuel types. The invention further provides an apparatus for the generation of isotopes including but not limited to 18F, 11C, 15O, 63Zn, 124I, 133Xe, 111In, 125I, 131I, 99Mo, and 13N.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting the contents of a cargo container includes a neutron source having an ion source configured to provide deuterium or tritium ions and an accelerator configured to accelerate the ions toward a target having at least one of deuterium or tritium. The apparatus further includes a radiation detector where the neutron source is configured to deliver a neutron flux into the container and the radiation detector is configured to detect radiation exiting the container subsequent to the delivery of the neutron flux into the container.