Investigation of Neutron Generation upon Irradiation of Deuterated Crystalline Structures with an Electron Beam

The possibility of neutron generation by irradiating deuterated crystalline structures with an electron beam with an energy of 20–40 keV was studied. As targets, the deuterated crystalline structures of palladium and textured CVD diamond were used. Measurements of neutron emission are presented, which were carried out by three independent methods—scintillation detectors, counters based on He-3, and track detectors CR-39.The average neutron flux during irradiation was estimated as 1–10 s ^-1 in 4 π sr.