Field desorption arrays for neutron generator ion sources

The development of portable active neutron interrogation systems for field detection applications could be facilitated by the use of a novel microfabricated atomic deuterium ion source in compact, accelerator-driven neutron generators. This ion source uses field desorption from the tips of microfabricated field emitter-type arrays to produce atomic deuterium ions. The resulting generator design would have the unique characteristic of being easily scalable to provide the neutron outputs required to meet a wide variety of field detection needs.