Optimization of target film materials and protective coatings for sealed neutron generator

TL;DR

This study investigates and optimizes magnesium-based target films and protective coatings to enhance neutron generator performance, focusing on radiation resistance, yield, and durability through material alloying and coating strategies.

Contribution

It introduces optimized magnesium-zirconium alloy target films with nickel oxide coatings, improving radiation resistance and neutron yield for sealed neutron generators.

Findings

Magnesium-zirconium alloy with 0.2 doping improves radiation resistance.

Nickel oxide coating of 7.5 nm enhances target durability.

Optimized target materials increase neutron generator efficiency.

Abstract

Magnesium target film has better thermal stability and neutron yield than titanium target, making it a potential neutron generator target film material. The radiation resistance of elemental magnesium targets is relatively weak, and their radiation resistance can be improved by alloying magnesium target films. The irradiation damage of pure magnesium targets and magnesium alloy target films was studied using SRIM. The results indicate that the irradiation damage of magnesium alloy target films (magnesium-niobium, magnesium-zirconium alloys) is lower than that of pure magnesium targets. In addition, under the same alloy ratio, the radiation resistance of magnesium-niobium alloy target film is better than that of magnesium-zirconium alloy. In order to further in-vestigate the performance of magnesium alloy target films, the incident ion energy, protective coatings (nickel oxide, aluminum oxide, palladium oxide), magnesium alloy target films, and alloy doping ratios (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0) were changed. After calculating the effects of the above conditions on the neutron generator yield, sputtering yield, and considering irradiation damage, it was determined that a magnesium-zirconium alloy with a doping rate of 0.2 and a nickel oxide protective coating with a thickness of 7.5 nm are potential target film materials for the neutron generator.