Comparison of the results of neutron flux and energy measurements with the predictions of theoretical calculations for a coaxial 14 MeV neutron tube

Abstract The 93 Nb(n,2n)/ 90 Zr(n,2n) reaction method has been extended to investigate the axial alteration of the 14 MeV neutron spectrum and flux in a neutron tube having cylindrical acceleration structure. The resulting data are compared with recently published calculations where the only free parameter T ( x ), describing the combined effect of target thickness and ion current density in parallel to the target cylinder axis, has been adjusted. Thus, besides the information obtained about neutron distributions, indirect conclusions may be drawn as to the ion-focussing properties of the system.