Efficient Neutron Production Using Low-Energy Electron Beams

A comparison of (γ, n) and atomic cross sections shows that neutron production with an electron beam can be as energy efficient with 10-MeV electrons as with the conventionally used 30- to 100-MeV electrons. Neutron production from tungsten using 100-MeV electrons is compared with a thin tungsten converter followed by a deuterium-containing target using electrons near 10 MeV.