14 MeV neutron yields from D-T operation of the MIT Cockcroft-Walton accelerator

As part of our fusion-product diagnostic development program, we have begun a series of experiments with 14 MeV neutrons generated in a Cockcroft-Walton accelerator. Two different detectors have been used to measure the neutron yield: a silicon SBD and a Cu foil. The energy of the emitted neutrons has been determined by using two spectrometers: the SBD and a³He proportional counter. The reaction rate is monitored, with about ±5% accuracy, by detecting the particles from D + T n +. The neutron yields obtained from the Si detector and the Cu activation had associated uncertainties of about ±15% and agreed well with the predicted values from measurements.