Cockroft–Walton Generator as a Power Supply for the Vacuum Insulated Tandem Accelerator

Abstract

The accelerator-based neutron source, VITA, operated at the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics is actively used for both the generation of epithermal neutron fluxes for the development of boron–neutron capture therapy and the generation of fast neutron fluxes for radiation testing of advanced materials. The demand for such neutron sources intended for a wide range of applications, including the testing of new boron-targeted drugs and irradiation of cell cultures and laboratory animals for the development of boron neutron capture therapy, was driving the development of a less powerful but compact neutron source that can be used research groups to carry out such research on a continuous basis. The basic idea is to use a Cockcroft–Walton generator rather than a sectioned rectifier connected to a vacuum-insulated tandem accelerator through a feedthrough insulator and to place it in the upper vacuum part of the feedthrough insulator, removing the lower gas part of the feedthrough insulator, which significantly reduces the size and cost of the installation. The Cockcroft-Walton symmetric cascade multiplier is described, its characteristics are presented, and the results of computer modeling of the ideal and equivalent circuits, test results of the cascade voltage multiplier, and plans for further research are reported and discussed.