Production of intense slow positron beams with a low-energy electrostatic accelerator

Slow positron beams have been shown to be useful probes of the properties of surfaces and solids, including metals, semiconductors and polymers. Intense slow positron beams have been produced using reactor-produced radioisotopes or high energy electron linacs, but these sources are too large and expensive for use in research or industrial laboratories. The production of a slow positron beam via the {sup 12}C(d,n){sup 13}N reaction with a low energy deuteron beam has recently been demonstrated. In this paper, the authors will describe an intense (1 Ci or more) positron source based on the production of nitrogen-13 with a compact, low energy electrostatic deuteron accelerator. The limitations on source intensity due to neutron radiation damage at the moderator, neutron activation of accelerator and target components, and radiation shielding requirements will be addressed.