Abstract: A system and process for the production of nitrogen-13 ammonium ions from a target material in the form of a dilute solution of ethanol in natural water by the reaction of protons with oxygen-16 within the target material. The system includes a device for producing a proton beam which travels along a preselected path and strikes the target material in a target chamber. This target chamber is positioned in the path of the proton beam such that subjection of the target material to the beam produces nitrogen-13 atoms in a predetermined form. These nitrogen-13 atoms are converted in the aqueous solution to ammonium, ions and oxides and are conducted from the target holder to a purification device for collecting a purified product containing such ammonium ions. A cooling system serves to dissipate heat generated during the production of the nitrogen-13 atoms by the reaction of protons with the oxygen. Other solutes for the target material are discussed.

Abstract: In a negative hydrogen (H.sup.-) ion cyclotron, a system and method for improving the efficiency of the cyclotron by minimizing loss, i.e., neutralization, of H.sup.- ions within the acceleration region of the cyclotron caused by gas stripping. The system includes a cyclotron volume, an ion source within the ion source volume is maintained at a negative potential and located proximate the cyclotron center on the plane of acceleration. The vacuum system includes a main vacuum pump for evacuating the cyclotron volume and an ion source pump for separately evacuating the ion source volume to remove hydrogen (H.sub.2) gas molecules which could cause gas stripping if injected into the cyclotron volume. In the preferred embodiment, the system further has a pumping volume, communicating between the ion source volume and the cyclotron volume, and a separate pumping volume vacuum passageway whereby the ion source volume is evacuted in two stages.

Abstract: A system and process for the production of nitrogen-13 atoms from carbon-13/fluid slurry is provided. The system (10) includes a device (14) for producing a proton beam (15) which travels along a preselected path and strikes a target in slurry. This target is positioned in the path of the proton beam (15) such that subjection of the target to such beam produces nitrogen-13 atoms in a predetermined form. The nitrogen-13 atoms are conducted from the target area and carried to a purification device for collecting a purified product containing such atoms. The cooling system serves to dissipate heat generated during the production of such nitrogen-13 atoms.

Abstract: A target for a fusion neutron generator consisting of planar arrays of parallel tubes through which a cooling liquid is circulated. The target is relatively thin, and can be used to intercept two ion beams simultaneously, one on the front and the other on the back of the target. Two mixed ion beams, each containing a mixture of deuterium and tritium ions are accelerated into both sides of the water-cooled chromium plated copper-tube target whereby reactions occur yielding 14 MeV neutrons. At typical operating conditions of 170 keV and 300 mA total beam current, the neutron yield with a mixture of deuterium and tritium gas is approximately 6 .times. 10.sup.12 n/sec for an effective beam spot of 5.5 centimeters diameter.