Abstract: Provided herein are high energy ion beam generator systems and methods that provide low cost, high performance, robust, consistent, uniform, low gas consumption and high current/high-moderate voltage generation of neutrons and protons. Such systems and methods find use for the commercial-scale generation of neutrons and protons for a wide variety of research, medical, security, and industrial processes.

Abstract: Provided herein are high energy ion beam generator systems and methods that provide low cost, high performance, robust, consistent, uniform, low gas consumption and high current/high-moderate voltage generation of neutrons and protons. Such systems and methods find use for the commercial-scale generation of neutrons and protons for a wide variety of research, medical, security, and industrial processes.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes elongate light transmission means such as an optical fibre (13). A lens (16) of at least nearly half-pitch length is positioned with one of its focal planes substantially at a mouth (13a) of the optical fibre to receive and focus a diverging cone of light emergent therefrom. A reflector (20) is disposed substantially at another focal plane of the lens to reflect the focused light back to the mouth of the fibre. Detection means (14) in the path of the light between the mouth and the reflector is arranged to influence the light in response to an external condition in a manner whereby the reflected light received back at the fibre mouth may be monitored to detect the influence and thereby the condition. An optical fibre network has an incident fibre (40) and a detection fibre (42) coupled to plural optical components (60) via respective optical fibres (62) associated with the components and one or more optical fibre couplers (64, 68, 69).