Isotopic replacement in neutron generator target materials

Abstract

The study of hydrogen retention and exchange in materials exposed to energetic hydrogen ions has received considerable attention in the last decade, due to the importance of these processes in determining the buildup and recycling of hydrogen isotopes in the wall structures of the containment vessels required for the controlled thermo-nuclear reactor (CTR) programme. These studies are similar in principle if different in emphasis to those involved in the development of an adequate D-T generator target for cancer therapy. This project therefore attempts to relate methods commonly used in the CTR studies to the highly hydrogenated low atomic number materials desirable for use as neutron generator targets. Particular emphasis is laid on the diffusion processes following the primary hydrogen ion implantation, and comparisons are drawn between diffusion in 'true' (chemical) and 'interstitial' hydrogenous compounds.