Characterization of deuteride titanium targets used in neutron generators

The study of the physicochemical characteristics of titanium thin films and the corresponding deuterium absorption/desorption kinetics was performed. In order to optimize the production of high-energy neutrons the behaviour of deuteride titanium targets has been studied experimentally by bombardment with 120 and 350 kV deuterons by means of electrostatic accelerators. The importance of the deposit evaporation conditions on the efficiency of neutron emission is clearly demonstrated as well as the thermomechanical stability of the Ti thin film by deuteron bombardment. The main parameters involved in the targets behaviour have been discussed from a thermodynamical approach.