Adelphi Technology Inc

Moderated & Shielded Neutron Generators

Working with our customers we fabricate optimized moderators and shielding for our product line of neutron generators. These permit the generators to become safe and useful thermal, epithermal and fast neutron sources for a variety of experiments and applications. Various ports and access point around the moderated generator can be done. The “M-series of Hybrid Generators” have the moderator built into the generator head, permitting higher thermal neutron fluxes to be produced. See the DD110M generators. Pictured are moderators and shielding developed in collaboration with the Missouri University of Science and Technology and the University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. Contact us at info@adelphitech.com or melpie@adelphitech.com for further information.

Materials Identification

Moderating to thermal energies permits activation of many isotopes and makes the generator useful for materials analysis and identification. The generator with an optimally designed moderator becomes a high thermal neutron flux source for Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) and Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA). The moderated source closely mimics experimental research reactors, which have been the only sources of thermal neutrons that can be used for NAA and PGNAA. Furthermore, the fast neutron source can be pulsed or gated to minimize the noise background of the fast neutron source and its other activated products. This is especially true for delayed neutron activation analysis.

Teaching Nuclear Physics

Imagine having a safe, compact nuclear reactor for classroom demonstrations, experiments and research. This desired system would not be the size of a large two story building, cost $30 million dollars and require licensing from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Indeed, the only fuel used is deuterium, readily available from most scientific gas suppliers. Generators using the deuterium-deuterium reaction require no licensing for export or operation. The generator with its moderator can be fit on a floor area of 4' x 6' and be made primarily of light weight polyethylene. The polyethylene can be easily machined to permit changes in the moderator and instrument placement. Adelphi has optimized detector and sample placement and moderator geometry for maximizing detection efficiency.