KORONA, An Intense Sealed-Tube 14-MeV Neutron Generator

A sealed-tube, high-current, low-energy accelerator (190 kV, 150 mA) in operation at the GKSS Research Center since 1981 is described. The deuterium-tritium reaction yields a total source strength of 3 × 10¹² n/s. The neutron flux in the center of the hollow cylinder target is ∼3 × 10¹⁰ n/cm²·s in a 4-cm³ volume. Numerous 14-MeV neutron reaction cross sections have been determined with satisfactory accuracy; however, the system has been mainly used for neutron activation analysis. To predict the gamma-ray activity of any element after short-term irradiation with 14-MeV neutrons, a sensitivity study was performed, which proved to be a useful tool for analyzing complex spectra.