Possibility of Using a Multilayer Target to Reduce Losses of Tritium in a Neutron Tube

Abstract

The ability of yttria layers to act as barriers to hydrogen desorption is studied. The possibility is discussed of using these layers to reduce losses of tritium from a neutron tube target. The composition of a multilayer target in which tritium desorption is reduced by an accumulator layer (zirconium) and barrier layers (yttria) is described. It is shown that deuterium losses observed in thermal desorption tests over 4 h at 623 K fell by 85–87%. A system is proposed for the renewal of an external barrier layer subjected to sputtering by a deuteron ion flux.