New mini neutron tubes for oil well logging applications

Recent experimental investigations have demonstrated that a substantial amount of H^-or D^- ions can be produced by thermal desorption processes. Based on these new findings, new mini neutron sources can now be developed to produce high-energy neutrons via the d-¹⁰B nuclear reaction. By operating these mini neutron tubes with a high frequency AC high-voltage supply, short pulses of high intensity neutron beams can be generated. The d-¹⁰B neutrons should be suitable for compensated porosity and carbon/oxygen ratio measurements in oil well logging. It is shown that the performance of these new mini neutron tubes can exceed those of the commonly used Am-Be or d-t neutron sources.