PFC / JA - 93 - 17 14 MeV Neutron Yields from D - T Operation of the MIT Cockcroft

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 a 3 He proportional counter. The reaction rate is monitored, with about ±5% accuracy, by detecting the a particles from D + T -n + a. 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 a measurements.